Older people in the Midlands are being encouraged to more drink fluids this winter to avoid dizziness and falls.

Every year, more than one in three people over 65 suffers a fall, which can cause serious injury and even death.

Hip fractures cost the NHS an estimated £6 million per day or £2.3 billion per year.

Adults should drink 6-8 glasses of water per day, and it is important to start drinking in the morning and continue to do so regularly throughout the day.

It is vital for people of any age to stay hydrated, but it is especially important for older patients in winter, as they often lose their appetite for water with aging.

As adults age, the sensation of thirst diminishes, which means older people are less likely to realise when they’re thirsty. This increased risk of dehydration means older people must stay extra vigilant about their water intake.

To help tackle dehydration and reduce the risk of falls, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB has launched a pilot focusing on hydration in care homes.

Launched in November 2022 in partnership with ROC Care Systems, the pilot aims to improve hydration, reduce urinary tract infections and fight antimicrobial resistance.

The pilot features the innovative ‘ROC to drink’ app, a holistic assessment app which supports health and care staff to easily monitor the dehydration of patients.

The app helps health and care staff to easily and quickly understand how dehydrated a patient is, using simple visual aids as prompts.

26 care homes signed up to the pilot in 2022-23, with more joining for the second year which started last month.

The feedback to date on the pilot has been positive. Health and care staff reported that the app makes it easy to review risk assessments and helps to improve safety and patient care.

In September, a staff member from Ashdale Care Home in Nottinghamshire said:

“ROC has had a positive impact on hydration care and has helped to improve a good ethos around hydration”.

“It has been really good, and ideal for the carers to know about residents at any point of time about hydration”.

Drinking enough water each day is crucial for many reasons and not just to reduce falls. Being hydrated helps to regulate body temperature, keep joints lubricated, and keep organs functioning properly. Drinking enough water also improves sleep quality, cognition, and mood.

Find out how to reduce falls, which drinks are healthier choices, and how to get enough fluids every day to stay hydrated.