STUDY ON PROMOTING FLUID INTAKE FOR PREVENTION OF DEHYDRATION IN THE DISABLED ELDERLY

对11例失能老年受试者(9例居家护理，2例机构护理)的体液摄入状况进行调查，为评价促进体液摄入预防脱水的方法提供依据。这项研究进行了两年多的时间。在居家护理的老年受试者中，夏季的每日液体摄入量约为2升，冬季约为2.1升，但显示出很大的个体差异。他们的液体摄入量主要取决于护理者，并反映了护理者的兴趣、知识和技术能力。在机构受试者中，每天的液体摄入量约为1.5升。这些结果表明，需要护理员采取积极和有计划的方法，护士对护理员进行专业指导，以确保失能老年人有足够的液体摄入量，以防止失能老年人脱水。

The state of fluid intake was investigated in 11 disabled elderly subjects (9 cared at home, 2 cared at institutions) to obtain data that would serve as the basis for evaluation of methods to promote fluid intake for prevention of dehydration. This study was carried out over 2 years.In the home-cared elderly subjects, the volume of daily fluid intake was about 2 liters during summer and about 2.1 liters during winter but showed a wide individual variation. Their fluid intake was mostly dependent on the care-givers and reflected the interest in, and knowledge and technical competence of, the care-givers. In the institutionalized subjects, the volume of daily fluid intake was about 1.5 liters. They were given fluids at fixed occasions such as after taking a bath or at participation in events.These results suggest that positive and designed approaches by care-givers is needed, and professional guidance for care-givers by nurses is important, to ensure a sufficient fluid intake for prevention of dehydration in the disabled elderly.