040 Dehydration in Older Adults: How to Prevent It, Detect It, and Treat It

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains how to prevent, detect, and treat dehydration in aging adults. She covers:

• What is dehydration and what causes it
• Why older adults are at higher risk for dehydration
• How dehydration can be correctly diagnosed
• Why several commonly-used tests for dehydration are often inaccurate in older adults
• Symptoms of dehydration
• Health consequences that may be associated with mild versus more severe dehydration
• How dehydration can be treated
• How to prevent dehydration, including how to help older adults stay hydrated
• What to known about dehydration and possible urinary tract infections
• Tips for family caregivers who are concerned about an older person’s hydration

Related Resources:

• How to Prevent, Detect, & Treat Dehydration in Aging Adults
• Water-loss (intracellular) dehydration assessed using urinary tests: how well do they work? Diagnostic accuracy in older people
• Is This Elderly Patient Dehydrated? Diagnostic Accuracy of Hydration Assessment Using Physical Signs, Urine, and Saliva Markers
• Q&A: Why Urine Bacteria Doesn't Mean a UTI Needs Antibiotics