Resumen de Fluid needs of aging cerebral palsy patients

María Yolanda González Alonso, Ángel Carlos Matía Cubillo

• Introduction: Aging people with cerebral palsy have raised present dehydration that can cause serious physical and psychological damage risk.

  Objective: This study analyzes the water needs of aging people with cerebral palsy.

  Method: A descriptive-interpretative study on water necessities is performed. In Cerebral Palsy Association of Burgos, 26 adults (8 females, 18 males) with an average age of 40 years were selected to answer the questions; the oldest participant was 65 years old. All persons were classified with the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), the Ability Classification System Manual (MACS), the Communication Function Classification System (CFCS) and the interviews on water needs. A statistical frequency analysis was conducted.

  Results: The participants had 88% GMFCS level V and IV, 53% MACS level V and 38% CFCS level III. The factors that determine the fluid needs are their ability to move, swallowing disorders, medication and fear of incontinence.

  Conclusions: It was confirmed that the people with a severe degree of disability presented a higher average of liquid needs. The adequate intake of water has been established to prevent the effects of dehydration. The degree of hydration can influence the health and welfare of people with cerebral palsy.