Hydrate for Health, Article Critique Example

Listening to Older Adults’ Need for Information

It is a known fact that water is an essential nutrient for a healthy body and long life. The need for hydrating adequately has been seen necessary to metabolize medications and nutrients, excrete toxins from the body, and engage in physical activity. For older adults, this is pertinent in which less water is found in their kidneys to concentrate urine, and their overall bodies to stay hydrated. An interdisciplinary team study by, Palmer, Marquez, Kline, Morris, Linares, and Carlson, focused on this importance informing older adults on the need to stay hydrated in, “Hydrate for Health: Listening to Older Adults’ Need For Information.” Their key points in developing their study were to create a project in which to provide evidence-based and relevant information to older adults that live in community care settings.

In creating their project, the feedback from participants were pragmatic information such as how much fluid was obtained from certain foods, measuring water, and determine the amount of needed fluids. As well as information that could be insulated in their daily routine. The project pointed out the main focus of integrating the role of nurses in listening to the needs of the senior citizens, and helping to incorporate educational materials that were comprehensible and relevant to them. The information developed in educating the senior citizens centered on the dangers in the lack of drinking water. This included urinary incontinence, delirium, fatigue, and urinary tract infections. It was important for the authors in their study to point out the ways in which older adults unintentionally exposed themselves to dehydration by not drinking enough water to prevent incontinent episodes or not using public toilets. The inclusion of older adults in issues that impacted their lives, contribute greatly into creating a project in which was catered to them. Their inclusion benefited the overall impact and results of the project, as it was able to incorporate not only their routines, but also the nurses’ role in listening to their needs.

The authors that hold backgrounds in gerontology, nursing, public health, and other relevant fields, presented beneficial research that came across as a comprehensive read for a wide range of readers. Low on medical or complex jargon, the article provided a well-formalized research with the purpose, along with methodology, results, discussion, limitations, and conclusion provided an inconsequential order. The research used two-phase prospective qualitative approach in which the utilized handing out factsheets to focus group consisting of both genders, ages 65 and older, which were able to provide consent to participate in the study. The second phase consisted of conducting personal interviews to the sample focus group. The data was analyzed on Excel spreadsheet and thematic analysis. The results indicated that focus group wanted to know about food sources for water, as well as measuring water, and determining the necessary amount of water needed every day. The overwhelming response concluded from the study was the need for more input from senior citizens in ways to maintain their health. The authors saw that when incorporated the inputs of the respondents they were able to develop a more pragmatic approach to informing them to drink water.

This information is valuable to the study of gerontology not only for the overall health benefits, but for lessons to healthcare providers and policymakers in regards to incorporating input from the older adults the policies are aiming. When older adults are able to be involved in the process, they allow for the policy or initiative to be catered to them so they could reap the overall benefits. Gerontology involves improving the care and experience of older adults. By creating solutions to issues or problems that are being dealt with daily by older adults, they are more than aware of what can be used to benefit them. The authors provided well-researched and informative data that can be used as a guide to future studies in crafting projects that benefit the improvement of health for older adults.

References

Palmer, Mary H., Marquez, Celine S., Kline, Katherine V., Morris, Erin, Linares, Brenda, Carlson, Barbara W. (2014). Hydrate for Health: Listening to Older Adults’ Need for Information. Journal of Gerontological Nursing. Vol. 40. No. 1 pg. 24-31.