effects of hydration

1. IS HYDRATION ASSOCIATED WITH QUALITY OF LIFE? a review by Ronald J. Maughan - Chairman of the Science Advisory Board A decline in both physical and mental capacity is an inevitable part of the aging process and this has implications for Quality of Life (QoL) in the elderly. Those in residential care, either for medical reasons or because of the absence of family carers, may be especially vulnerable. This study assessed the relationship between clinical care indicators (CCI) and QoL in 82 residents of four Australian residential care facilities. Standard analytical tools were used for CCI, covering 23 different areas of care, and QoL, which was assessed as a profile of six domains (physical, psychological, independence, social relationships, environmental, and spiritual). The study found, perhaps not surprisingly, that poorer scores in the clinical care indicators adversely influenced QoL. All QoL domains were affected to some degree, with the greatest impact on the social and spiritual domains. Poorer status in hydration, falls and depression were the three factors most strongly associated with lower QoL scores, suggesting those three indicators could represent key areas for clinical management in residential aged care. It is important to recognise that this study does not show that improving the quality of care in these three areas will necessarily improve the quality of life of the elderly living in care. However, improving hydration status does seem to be a low cost intervention that deserves further investigation. Courtney M, M O’Reilly, H Edwards, S Hassall (2009). The relationship between clinical outcomes and quality of life for residents of aged care facilities. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing 26, 49-57 It is important to recognise that this study does not show that improving the quality of care in these three areas will necessarily improve the quality of life of the elderly living in care. However, improving hydration status does seem to be a low cost intervention that deserves further investigation.

3. WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN HYDRATION INSTITUTE? The European Hydration Institute (EHI) is a foundation established with the objectives of advancing and sharing knowledge and understanding of all matters relating to human hydration and the effects of hydration on health, wellness and performance. The European Hydration Institute (EHI) was founded in response to the need expressed by a number of scientists, nutritionists and health care professionals, for a one stop shop relating to hydration where: All hydration science and knowledge could come together; strategies for further advancing understanding in the area of hydration could be developed and support for efforts designed to ensure people across Europe are properly hydrated could be provided. The mission of the European Hydration Institute (EHI) is to raise awareness of the importance of hydration for health, wellness and performance by: Providing an authoritative source of science-based  information about hydration which can be used for developing strategies to further advance both scientific and consumer understanding of hydration issues. Raising awareness of the importance of proper hydration and  ensuring that hydration needs are well understood so that they can be included in public health agendas. Special attention to fluid needs is required at key times such as during pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding as well as in populations like children and the elderly. Maintaining proper hydration levels when playing sport is important and can impact on performance. The European Hydration Institute works with independent scientists,  health and nutrition professionals and other interested parties to develop resources that can be used to stimulate the professional and public understanding necessary to encourage appropriate hydration in all sectors of the population. The EHI is partnering with other organisations and it is keen to engage other institutions with an interest in the human hydration field. Please contact Dr. Jane Holdsworth, Director of the EHI, for further information: jholdsworth@europeanhydrationinstitute.org. http://www.europeanhydrationinstitute.org