It sets out the case for improving drinking water consumption in older people and helping to alleviate a range of ailments and indignities, some of which prove fatal.
The key compelling finding of the study, which is the main driver for Health on tap, was anecdotal evidence from one care home that there was a 50 per cent reduction in falls when a regime of drinking water at regular intervals during the day, from mains-fed water coolers, was introduced.
The care home also attributed the regime to:
- Fewer GP call-outs.
- Fewer urinary infections.
- More than 50 per cent reduction in residents taking laxatives.
- Improved sleeping patterns at night and greater energy levels during the day.
- Less agitation in residents with dementia.