Warning signs for dehydrated old people are ‘missed’

DANGEROUS SIGNS of dehydration in elderly people are being missed by care home workers, experts say.

Simple checks – looking for sunken eyes, the tightness of a person’s skin or asking if they are thirsty – do not accurately diagnose the condition, a study found.

Experts from the University of East Anglia (UEA) looked at the way carers assessed dehydration in 188 older people in 56 care homes across Norfolk and Suffolk. They compared the results with blood tests to tell whether a person was suffering from dehydration.

Lead author, Dr Diane Bunn, from UEA’s School of Health Sciences, added: “When we analysed the results of all the simple tests, we found that none of them were able to accurately identify people with dehydration, and we recommend that they are withdrawn from practice.

“Whilst blood tests are the most accurate way of telling if someone is dehydrated, this is expensive and not easily done in care homes unless a doctor orders the test.

“We really need an inexpensive easy-to-do test for dehydration in older people, and one which works.”

Lead researcher Dr Lee Hooper, from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said older people not drinking enough was a common problem, caused by everything from weakened thirst sensation to difficulties fetching a drink.

The standard tests – which included looking at the eyes and asking if someone feels thirsty – appeared in nursing and medical text books as well as care guidelines.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director of Age UK, said: “There are increased health risks associated with dehydration in older people; like confusion, low blood pressure, and falls which can lead to hospitalisation, so it is essential care home managers put robust systems in place to identify residents who are at particular risk to ensure they get the help they need.”