Acceso usuarios
Miguel Ángel de la Cámara Serrano
Introduction: The importance of a suitable hydration has been widely studied and is considered an indispensable factor in the maintenance of a good health. In older adults, there is a predisposition to dehydration due to several physiological factors of age and other social factors. Dehydration makes them more vulnerable to various diseases, being even a cause of death.
Method: The current work gathers information of a succinct bibliographical review on the hydration level of the Spanish elderly population as well as diverse studies that indicate a relation between hydration and cognitive health in the older person.
Results: In Spain, some studies and sociological surveys show an inadequate hydration in older persons, which increases the risk of dehydration and therefore the suffering of disease, hospital admittance and death.
Conclusion: A suitable hydration might improve the condition and cognitive performance of this population and prevent or delay dementia or Alzheimer’s. Most studies indicate a theoretical benefit in cognitive performance associated with the maintenance of a suitable hydration in this population, but there is no proven scientific evidence that shows this benefit. Further research that allows to link the above mentioned association as well as a greater intervention of the agents involved in the maintenance and care of the health of this population to prevent dehydration is necessary.
