Wet Your Whistle with Water (W3) to Improve Water Intake in Seniors’ Care

Context: Dehydration is a concern amongst older adults residing in retirement (RH) and long-term care (LTC) homes.

Objectives: a) work with home team members to develop effective hydration strategies; b) implement these strategies; c) determine the capacity of home team members to provide process evaluation data on implementation, d) determine if administrative data is helpful in tracking dehydration-related events, and e) determine if a short, online education module can improve the hydration knowledge and attitudes of team members providing care.

Methods: Wet your Whistle with Water (W3) included: voluntary online education module for team members; hydration reminders; water stations in common areas; and bi-monthly recreation activities providing beverages. Hydration-related administrative data from 56 LTC residents were analyzed for pre-post comparison.

Findings: 218 individuals participated in the education and significant improvements in attitudes and knowledge noted. The LTC home held six hydration recreation programs with an average of 31 attendees and 15 beverages provided. Hydration station fluid intake was low (<120 oz per week). Bowel medications decreased non-signifcantly post-implementation; changes in other administrative variables were non-significant.

Limitations: W3 could not be fully implemented in the RH due to challenges with staffing and collecting administrative data. Team member compliance with refilling water jugs, COVID-19 restrictions, and outbreak status impacted usability of the hydration station.

Implications: W3 strategies were feasible but require home buy-in and a champion for implementation. Strategies (e.g., reminders) should be tailored to the home and be able to withstand outbreaks. Targeted education can improve confidence, attitudes, and knowledge.