Often elderly people do not feel thirsty in the same way that someone younger does

By Lucy Clapham
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
3.55 PM

Researchers in Norwich are hoping to reduce hospital admissions among the elderly after launching a study into dehydration.

 A team from the University of East Anglia (UEA) will be working with residents in care homes across Norfolk and into Suffolk to help identify the early stages of dehydration and prevent the serious problems it can lead to.

Older people suffering from dehydration can become confused and fall, which can make a sudden trip to hospital more likely.

The three year study aims to determine a test that will identify if someone is dehydrated before they need any emergency care.

Lead researcher Lee Hooper, from the UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said: “We talk about prevention but it’s really difficult to do that if you can’t see it before it hits you.

“Often elderly people do not feel thirsty in the same way that someone younger does; they may also hang back from drinking for fear of finding themselves without easy access to a bathroom, or wanting to avoid getting up in the night.

“Drinks may not be available at precisely the time that suits an individual, or the drinks on offer may simply not appeal to them.”

Dehydration is easily detected by blood test but Dr Hooper wants to find an effective and easier way to recognise the problem and will be exploring ideas including the pinch test, which involves lightly squeezing the skin of a patient’s hand and seeing how quickly the flesh springs back.

Dr Hooper, a dietician and nutritionist who was awarded a Fellowship by the National Institute for Health Research to undertake the study, thought the project was an “important” bit of research.

“It will help us get a handle on something we can’t really at the moment,” she added.

Dr Hooper is now recruiting 200 participants for the study who will be asked to undergo simple tests, like the pinch test, and give a blood sample.

This will be followed by a second interview a year later.

The team also wants to work with care homes and residents who can comment on their findings and the dehydration test they come up with.

Their solution will be further tested on another group of older people before the findings are published.

* Care homes interested in getting involved can call Dr Hooper on 07813 917444 or email l.hooper@uea.ac.uk

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/norwich_study_into_how_dehydration_harms_the_elderly_1_1008415