Think Drink Hydration system for dementia care: feasibility study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
THE THINK DRINK SYSTEM: SUPPORTING OPTIMAL HYDRATION WITH THOSE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA IN CARE HOMES MAKING CARE SAFER: FEASIBILITY STUDY
IRAS ID
246615
Contact name
Glenda A Cook
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Northumbria University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 28 days
Research summary
Older adults with dementia are particularly susceptible to suboptimal hydration and dehydration due to cognitive problems age-related changes, other concurrent disease and disability. Suboptimal hydration and dehydration are both a causative and contributory factor in deaths of care home residents, and inadequate hydration being the main cause of acute kidney injury. This feasibility cluster randomised controlled trial study will evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a multi-component hydration intervention in the context of people living with dementia in care homes. The intervention, The Think Drink Hydration System, has been developed following qualitative interviews and consultation with a range of stakeholders, including care home staff and managers, and healthcare practitioners. In the feasibility study the 'Think Drink' hydration intervention will be implemented in 6 care homes for 6 months with a 4 week follow-up. In the control care homes resident care plans will be reviewed at base-line as the only 'Think Drink' intervention. Hence, standard practice will be assessed in 6 similar settings. In the feasibility study we will adopt a realistic evaluation framework to investigate the impact of the Think Drink Hydration System on resident outcomes (including fluid intake, admission to hospital due to dehydration, falls,laxative use, urinary tract infection and upper respiratory tract infection); feasibility of adoption in care homes through exploring process factors including acceptability, barriers and facilitators to implementation.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NE/0156
Date of REC Opinion
7 Jun 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion