Dehydration is a common condition in older adults. When oral hydration is insufficient there is a need for parenteral hydration. Subcutaneous infused fluid or hypodermoclysis is a method for parenteral hydration. This method is used to treat older adults with mild to moderate dehydration or at risk of dehydration. Despite that, this method is used in older adults who are acutely ill we have a very limited understanding of the absorption time and thereby when the infused fluid is available in the circulatory system. This study aims to compare the absorption time in older adults who are acutely ill with when they are not acutely ill. Furthermore, this study aims to describe how fast the subcutaneous infused fluid is absorbed from the subcutaneous space and subsequently when it is available in the circulatory system where it has its effect.
The purpose of the study is to examine the rate of absorption of subcutaneous infused fluid in older adults when acutely ill compared to when they are not acutely ill.