The investigation of fluid intake and affecting factors of fluid i̇ntake of elderly living at home

Limited fluid intake and loss of fluid can cause important health problems for a variety of reasons. This situation carries risks that may have serious consequences such as death in the elderly. The research is descriptive-relational in order to determine the fluid intake of elderly people living at home and the factors affecting them. The sample of the study consisted of 98 elderly individuals living in Kırşehir city center and living in their home. The data were summarized as number, percentage, and mean, and the relationship between the amount of fluid deficit and the influencing factors was analyzed using Pearson Correlation analysis, Spearman correlation analysis and Qui-square analysis. The average daily fluid intake of the individuals participating in the study was 1721.4 ± 478.6 ml. and 89 individuals (90.8%) consumed less fluid than they should take daily. In addition, a positive and significant relationship was found between individuals' depression levels and their dependence on others in their daily life activities and their fluid deficit levels. It was concluded that it is important to monitor the elderly especially in terms of fluid intake and factors affecting them, and to gain sufficient fluid consumption habits. Keywords: Aged, water consumption, dehydration.