Dehydration: Hazards and benefits

Dehydration is a serious risk for elders because total body water decrease with age, aging kidneys are less able to concentrate urine, and the sensati on of thirst decreases. Geriatric nurses traditionally have assessed for de hydration, but its signs are difficult to detect in many patients. Instead, nurses, assistive personnel, and family members must work to prevent dehyd ration in elders. In contrast, dehydration may be beneficial to patients du ring the-final stage of a terminal illness, although the decision to withho ld or withdraw medical hydration may present a legal and ethical dilemma fo r nurses.