Malnutrition and dehydration: Recognising the signs

Malnutrition and dehydration: Recognising the signs in the elderly and vulnerable

Why Nutrition and Hydration Matter

Malnutrition (lacking essential nutrients due to poor diet or problems absorbing nutrients from food) and dehydration (lacking enough water/liquids) can severely compromise your physical and mental well-being. When neglected, these issues can lead to severe health consequences affecting your everyday lives. Therefore, a good nutritional diet and hydration play vital roles in functioning well and feeling good, too.

Signs and symptoms of deficiency and dehydration

Recognising the signs of poor nutrition and hydration is the first step toward improving health, especially in elderly people. Symptoms often affect both the body and the mind:

Physical symptoms

• Unintended weight loss (malnutrition) – a key indicator of malnutrition is losing 5% to 10% or more of your body weight within a three to six-month period
• Chronic fatigue (both) – Feeling constantly tired, even with adequate sleep.
• Headaches and light-headedness (both)
• Weakened immune system (malnutrition) – Getting sick more often and taking longer to recover. Remember, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and vitamins is essential to boost your immunity and obtain the necessary vitamins and minerals for the normal functioning of your body.
• Skin issues – Such as dry, pale or cracked skin. In dehydration, common symptoms are dry mouth, lips and tongue; reduced skin elasticity.
• Hair problems (both) – Including hair loss, dryness, brittleness or thinning.
• Seizures (dehydration) – In the most severe cases, dehydration can lead to this dangerous complication.

Mental and cognitive symptoms

• Confusion: You may become disoriented, especially common in older adults and young children who are dehydrated.
• Difficulty concentrating: Often linked to a lack of vitamins (like vitamin B12, folate B9, B6, iron and/or vitamin D) necessary for normal brain function.
• Mood and behaviour changes: Which can manifest as irritability or becoming antisocial.

If you notice that you or a loved one is experiencing some of the above symptoms or showing signs of malnutrition or dehydration due to health conditions, it is advisable to speak with them and contact a GP as soon as possible to ensure they are getting the vitamins and minerals they need. Who Needs Extra Attention?

While proper nourishment is crucial for everyone, certain groups require extra focus and support:

• The elderly – As we age, our bodies become less efficient at absorbing and utilising nutrients and fluids. Good hydration and nutrition are vital to help maintain strength, cognitive function and a strong immune system for healthy ageing.
• Individuals with mental health concerns – The brain relies heavily on proper fuel to function well. Deficiencies can potentially worsen symptoms of conditions like anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions (like schizophrenia).
• People living with dementia – the disease can cause a person to neglect their wellbeing and forget to eat or drink, resulting in malnutrition and dehydration.
• People living with dysphagia – a condition that affects the swallowing of food and liquids and can sometimes make swallowing impossible.

In general, everyone needs a balanced intake. It directly impacts our physical health, mental clarity, energy levels and ultimately, our quality of life.

Simple steps for better wellbeing

Here are practical tips for achieving good nutrition and hydration to help you feel your best:

• Eat a balanced diet: Aim for a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, meat/high quality protein and dairy (depending on your personal preferences, allergies or lifestyle choices) to supply the essential vitamins and minerals your body needs.
• Limit processed foods: These often contain high levels of sodium, sugar and unhealthy fats. Therefore, freshly prepared home-made food is much more recommended for a healthier diet.
• Consume water-rich foods: Incorporate hydrating fruits and vegetables such as watermelon, melon, peaches, citruses, cucumber, tomatoes, celery and mushrooms.
• Stay hydrated: Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water or about 1.5 – 2 litres daily and avoid alcoholic and sugary drinks. Moreover, overconsumption of caffeine can lead to dehydration if not drinking enough other fluids. If plain water is unappealing, try adding slices of lemon, orange or cucumber for a refreshing twist.
• Monitor hydration: Pay attention to your urine colour. Pale yellow urine indicates good hydration, while dark yellow and strong smell suggests dehydration. Moreover, peeing less often than usual is a sign that you need more fluids.

Professional Support and Care

If you are concerned that you, a loved one or someone you know may be malnourished or dehydrated, it is crucial to see a doctor/ GP. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly help prevent complications.

At Alcedo Care, we recognise the importance of this care. All our carers receive comprehensive nutrition and hydration training during onboarding to ensure they provide the highest quality support to our clients. Furthermore, a detailed nutrition and hydration assessment is a standard part of our client evaluation, allowing us to create the most appropriate, tailored care plan.

If you believe your loved ones need additional care and support, please feel free to contact us.