NURSING HOME RESIDENTS' WATER INTAKE (ELDERLY).
Contributors: Case Western Reserve University.
Published: 1986
Number of pages: 167
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Gerontology.
Description: The goals of this study were to (a) investigate the adequacy of water intake among nursing home residents and (b) identify variables associated with the determined adequacy of water.

The 67 residents of two Michigan nursing homes were the subjects of this non-participant observational study. Groups of four or five subjects who roomed near one another were observed for two random 24-hour periods during one week by trained observers. Data recorded for each subject included the food and fluid ingested and environmental circumstances of the ingestions.

Data also were collected from chart review and the quantitative measurements of weight, height, and urine output. Three investigator-developed instruments were utilized to facilitate the recording of data. Norton's At-Risk Scale was utilized to measure the subjects' functional ability.

Using an established nutrient data base, the intake of water from food and fluid ingested at the recorded 1,085 ingestions was determined. Average water intake of the 67 subjects was 1,892.5 ml/day with a range from 833 ml to 2,863 ml. Based on the standard water requirement of 1.600 ml/m('2) body surface area, the water intake adequacy of each subject was determined. Three subjects met 100% of their requirement, with the mean of the subjects' being 76%.

Through various means of analysis appropriate for the level of the data, seven variables were found to be significantly associated with the adequacy of water intake. Based on these data, those subjects who had an adequate amount of water ingested were characterized as (a) in the younger part of the subjects' age range of 75 years to 96 years, (b) male, (c) experiencing impairment in speech and vision, (d) having a greater frequency of non-meal ingestions and less possibility of having water in reach, and (e) independent in function.

Water needs, as determined by an accepted standard water requirement formula, are being met by only a small percentage of nursing home residents. Promotion of adequate water intake among these residents is directed toward (a) identification of those residents at risk for inadequate water intake and (b) modifying the environment to facilitate the ingestion of water. Recommendations for further research are given.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 47-03, Section: B, page: 0996.

Thesis (PH.D.)--CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY, 1986.

School code: 0042.