At Vauxian Care Home Group we are always striving to improve the quality of life for our residents. In older people, dehydration is far more common, with evidence suggesting a link to urinary tract infections (UTIs), where increased fluid intake significantly reduces the risk. 

Lack of hydration may result in increased confusion, infections such as UTIs, and consequent risk of falls. ‘Tackling antimicrobial resistance 2019-2024: The UK’s five-year National Action Plan (NAP)’ was published to reduce Gram-negative bloodstream infections (GNBSIs) that cause UTIs and to reduce the use of antibiotics. Therefore, in response to this national initiative and given known increased GNBSIs in older people, this has prompted the development of a Dorset system-wide “Hydration, Nutrition, Continence and C. difficile” group.

Vauxian Care Home Group, including Adamscourt and Osborne Lodge Care Home, were so proud to be selected to pilot this NHS pilot project.We worked with nurses and hospitals to trial new and improved ways to reduce dehydration. The staff really took on the project and it produced fantastic results. 

A range of educational hydration resources were co-designed and co-produced with stakeholders in the form of educational leaflets providing simple, clear, and visual information about the importance and benefits of hydration, a variety of food, drinks, and fruit as well as some of the worries associated with fear of incontinence and increased risk of falls. 

Other resources included hydration banners, posters, and hydration tabards for staff presenting a visual message, “How do you like your CUPPA?” ensuring that residents were encouraged and offered drinks to their preferences. In addition, the resources were used to reduce UTIs and falls, aligned with the national ambition plan.

As a result of this project we were nominated for a Nursing Times Award, which we won, see article on Nursing Times Award for more information.