Abdallah Lisa, Remington Ruth, Houde Susan, Zhan Lin, Melillo Karen Devereaux
Department of Nursing, School of Health and Environment, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts 01854-5126, USA.
Res Gerontol Nurs. 2009 Jan;2(1):49-57. doi: 10.3928/19404921-20090101-01.
Dehydration is a common problem among older adults and can negatively affect their health. This cross-sectional descriptive study used survey findings and focus group interviews to investigate dehydration problems among community-dwelling older adults and to identify strategies perceived to be helpful in preventing dehydration in this population. The survey sample (n = 18) and four focus groups (n = 36) included health care providers in the northeast United States from provider agencies representing emergency care, home care, primary care, and community health care. Survey findings indicated that 89% of participants identify dehydration as a problem affecting older adults, and 94% noted the need for a public campaign on dehydration awareness and reduction. Four major themes emerged: Intentional Avoidance and Caution, Lack of Awareness/Education/Understanding, Poor Access to Fluids, and Social and Environmental Influences. Strategies identified to promote hydration in community-dwelling older adults included community partnerships, community education, community engagement, and interdisciplinary approaches. This study provides useful information and detailed strategies recommended by health care providers for designing interventions to promote hydration for community-dwelling older adults.
脱水是老年人常见的问题，会对他们的健康产生负面影响。这项横断面描述性研究利用调查结果和焦点小组访谈，调查社区居住老年人的脱水问题，并确定被认为有助于预防该人群脱水的策略。调查样本（n = 18）和四个焦点小组（n = 36）包括来自美国东北部代表急诊护理、家庭护理、初级护理和社区医疗保健的医疗机构的医疗保健提供者。调查结果表明，89%的参与者认为脱水是影响老年人的一个问题，94%的人指出需要开展一场关于提高脱水意识和减少脱水的公众宣传活动。出现了四个主要主题：有意避免和谨慎、缺乏意识/教育/理解、饮水不便以及社会和环境影响。为促进社区居住老年人补水而确定的策略包括社区伙伴关系、社区教育、社区参与和跨学科方法。本研究提供了有用信息以及医疗保健提供者推荐的详细策略，用于设计促进社区居住老年人补水的干预措施。
