Nutrition and Hydration

Malnutrition and dehydration are important aspects of the care of older people, particularly those in hospitals or in long-term care facilities. Many older people do not eat and drink adequately during hospital stays, and following hip fracture many patients achieve only a half of their recommended daily energy, protein and other nutritional requirements [1]. This leads to poor recovery and diminished health status and functional ability and results in a higher risk of other complications (Chap. 6).