Dehydration in older adults

Residents and family should be aware that dehydration can be serious and possibly be life-threatening and may require hospitalization. Dehydration is when your body does not have enough water to function normally which can be caused by increasing fluid loss in the body or decreasing fluid intake. Factors that may increase fluid loss can include illness, medications or environmental factors like heat. Decreased fluid intake may occur from reduced thirst or difficulty swallowing, with residents having possible fear of accidents, causing some residents to drink less.