Challenge: Hydration

Keep Residents Properly Hydrated to Maintain Health

Hydration is one of the most common concerns in long term care. Lack of hydration can lead to dementia and confusion, predisposition to falls and infections, pressure ulcers and even death.

F-Tag 327 states that facilities must “provide each resident with sufficient fluid intake to maintain proper hydration and health.” On average, each resident needs a minimum of 30cc per kg of body weight per day, or a minimum of 1500cc of fluid per day.

Fortunately, just a few simple products – all available from Direct Supply – can help you establish an effective hydration program for your residents.

Keep fluids within easy reach for residents at all times

Large insulated mugs are perfect for making sure that your residents always have liquids close at hand. They hold both hot and cold beverages, and the graduated markings help you easily measure residents’ fluid intake.

Bring ice and fluids to your residents regularly

Ice carts are a great way to deliver beverages and ice to your residents throughout the day. Staff can easily wheel them to each room, and carts with decorative canopies not only brighten up your hallways – they can bring some added excitement to your residents!

Offer fun alternatives to conventional hydration options

Soft serve ice cream machines are a fun alternative to water and other traditional beverages, and count towards hydration requirements. Easy enough for residents to use themselves, they’re perfect for common areas.

Keep an adequate supply of ice in your facility

Make sure you have enough ice machines to accommodate all of your residents. We recommend that you be able to supply 7 lbs. of ice per resident per day. This guideline will ensure that you’re able to meet all of your daily ice needs for beverages, water, staff use and tray lines.

To calculate the right-sized ice machine, multiply your number of residents by 7, then choose a machine with the closest matching “maximum capacity per 24 hours.”

And when choosing an ice machine, remember: flaked ice presents less of a choking hazard than cubed ice.

To learn more about these products and our complete selection of foodservice equipment, call your Direct Supply account manager – 1-800-634-7328.

Written by Shellee Roloff, foodservice market manager for Direct Supply.