Gatorade in the Elderly

[michael79]

I work in an ALF and my administrator is constantly encouraging our med techs to give the residents gatorade instead of water. She says they will drink more fluid if it is flavored. I agree. I just think that giving seniors an electrolyte solution is a dangerous practice. She says, "I drink it all the time." SHE"S AN ATHLETE!!!! What do you think? I say flavor the water with Crystal Light or something else sugar and calorie free. I think its a bad idea to pump the elderly full of NA+ and K+...YOur thoughts?

[kyboyrn]

Personally, I think that Gatorade would be okay for a lot of the elderly. Of course it depends (do they have renal problems, on diuretics, potassium, etc.?) Still, the elderly are at risk to become dehydrated, and as long as they don't drink too much I don't see a problem with it as long as they aren't diabetic, cause it's full of sugar! It would be a case by case situation. Still, like you said, other alternatives could be used to flavor the water. I guess it just depends.

[GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN]

I think its a good idea, really most of them could use a little extra fluid and elect repletion, are on diuretics, eat poorly, drink little, are losing their electr 2/2 diuretics, and its low in carbs for the diabetics, good suggestion

[michael79]

I get that they need the fluids, but my question is: Is it a good idea to be giving someone who may or may not need it an electrolyte solution? I worked with an ER doc that thought it was the worst idea to give elderly Gatorade. He said they don't handle the electrolyte shift well. I think a better alternative is the Crystal Light.

[TazziRN, RN]

If you think about it, most seniors are chronically dehydrated anyway, so I think it helps. It's one thing to have them drink a couple of servings per day, versus chugging it like an athlete would.

[Epona]

I don't see regular Gatorade being a problem. We are not talking large amounts of electrolytes here. I do not really see it as a 'solution' in the medical sense. Yes, there are some electrolytes in it, but in my opinion, not enough to really concern yourself with.

[jessiern, BSN, RN]

In general it would be a great idea. Elderly patients, especially those with dementia tend to not eat well, or drink as much as they should and become dehydrated easily.

Patients with renal dysfunction would be very questionable, or maybe patients already taking K supplements. It's hard to know for sure unless you know how much the solution has of each electrolyte--and I did a quick websearch and couldn't find. It does have 14grams of sugar, so not best for diabetics either.

[lpn1313]

We have it at our facility, but it only gets pulled out when we have GI bug outbreaks. Then everyone who has the bug gets the gatorade. Otherwise, we usually don't give it out.

[joolia]

I would be more concerned with the sugar than the electrolytes. What if the residents are diabetic?

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

I would be more concerned with the sugar than the electrolytes. What if the residents are diabetic?

If the resident is getting insulin coverage and isn't taking much PO, then the sugar in the Gatorade could actually help keep them from getting low.