The actual fluid intake of forty (40) residents of a nursing home was determined by an analysis of detailed three-day food and fluid intake records obtained by direct observation. Intake was compared to an established standard to determine the adequacy of fluid intake for this population. Subjects were grouped in two groups according to age (<85 years and >85 years) to determine whether age influenced fluid intake. In addition, data such as number and frequency of medications and dependency factors, such as ability to feed self, ability to communicate, ability to move and ability to make decisions, were collected and correlated.There was no significant difference between actual fluid intake and required fluid intake for the population a whole and for the two age groups. However, there were individuals who had very low fluid intakes suggesting other factors which influence fluid intake. There were positive correlations between fluid obtained from non meal feedings and frequency of medication delivery and number of medications delivered during a 24 hour period. In addition, there were positive correlations among the dependency factors. There was no correlation among any of the dependency factors and fluid intake for the group as a whole or for the two age groups.It was concluded from this study that this population of elderly nursing home residents obtained adequate fluid. Medication frequency and number appeared to influence the amount of fluid that a resident might obtain during non meal feedings. However, as a subject became more dependent, this factor did not affect the fluid intake of this population. / Department of Home Economics
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/184731 |
| Date | January 1993 |
| Creators | Chidester, June C. |
| Contributors | Ball State University. Dept. of Home Economics., Spangler, Alice A. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | viii, 84 leaves ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
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