Abstract
Background
Frailty is increasingly recognised as a public health problem within an aging population. It is often characterised as an accumulation of clinical symptoms with progressive decline. We contend that dehydration is potentially the missing link driving the cycle of frailty; it contributes to malnutrition and cognitive decline and is a risk factor for other conditions. Frailty may also impact on fluid intake in cognitively intact older adults, indicating the cyclical nature of dehydration contributing to increasing frailty.
Aim
To examine the relationships between fluid, hydration, and frailty in older adults – in order to determine what works, for whom, how, why, and in what circumstances.
Methods
A Realist Synthesis was first undertaken, leading to the development of a Refined Programme Theory (RPT) articulating what hydration interventions work, for whom, to what degree, in what contexts, and how & why. Within the subsequent evaluation, the RPT was further confirmed/refuted/refined following semi-structured interviews with n=8 participants (healthcare professionals and patients). The RAMESES Quality Standards were followed throughout the study.
Results
The Refined Programme Theory (RPT) highlighted three factors that result in optimised hydration for frail older people i.e., Developing an Understanding Around Hydration, Empowering Participation, and System Reconfiguration. Our RPT indicates that hydration interventions work by developing an understanding of the importance of hydration, mitigating physical & cognitive barriers, increasing the agency of the patient, using a prompting process to reinforce drinking behaviour, and routinising hydration as a dimension of overall care.
Conclusions
The study indicates that a greater understanding of the importance of hydration is required for all parties. Patients also require physical and psychological support if they are to be active agents in meeting their hydration needs. At a wider ‘system’ level, organisations must work in an integrated manner – introducing processes that enable CPD, encourage ongoing holistic assessment, and routinise hydration support.
Frailty is increasingly recognised as a public health problem within an aging population. It is often characterised as an accumulation of clinical symptoms with progressive decline. We contend that dehydration is potentially the missing link driving the cycle of frailty; it contributes to malnutrition and cognitive decline and is a risk factor for other conditions. Frailty may also impact on fluid intake in cognitively intact older adults, indicating the cyclical nature of dehydration contributing to increasing frailty.
Aim
To examine the relationships between fluid, hydration, and frailty in older adults – in order to determine what works, for whom, how, why, and in what circumstances.
Methods
A Realist Synthesis was first undertaken, leading to the development of a Refined Programme Theory (RPT) articulating what hydration interventions work, for whom, to what degree, in what contexts, and how & why. Within the subsequent evaluation, the RPT was further confirmed/refuted/refined following semi-structured interviews with n=8 participants (healthcare professionals and patients). The RAMESES Quality Standards were followed throughout the study.
Results
The Refined Programme Theory (RPT) highlighted three factors that result in optimised hydration for frail older people i.e., Developing an Understanding Around Hydration, Empowering Participation, and System Reconfiguration. Our RPT indicates that hydration interventions work by developing an understanding of the importance of hydration, mitigating physical & cognitive barriers, increasing the agency of the patient, using a prompting process to reinforce drinking behaviour, and routinising hydration as a dimension of overall care.
Conclusions
The study indicates that a greater understanding of the importance of hydration is required for all parties. Patients also require physical and psychological support if they are to be active agents in meeting their hydration needs. At a wider ‘system’ level, organisations must work in an integrated manner – introducing processes that enable CPD, encourage ongoing holistic assessment, and routinise hydration support.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 18 Nov 2022 |
| Event | PRIME Centre Wales Annual Conference - Swansea university, Swansea, United Kingdom Duration: 18 Oct 2022 → … http://www.primecentre.wales/2022-annual-meeting.php |
Conference
| Conference | PRIME Centre Wales Annual Conference |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | Swansea |
| Period | 18/10/22 → … |
| Internet address |
