Dehydration in Seniors - Show Me Health

Dehydration is a common and very serious condition in older adults – it can even result in death.

For seniors, dehydration can cause many major health problems, including: kidney stones, blood clot complications, passing out, rapid but weak pulse and lowered blood pressure.

There are many factors that make seniors more likely to become dehydrated.

Common reasons include: being less sensitive to the feeling of thirst, decreased ability to keep fluid levels in balance, less efficient kidneys, which causes urine to contain more water, common medications (like those for blood pressure) flushing water from the body, medications causing side effects like diarrhea or excessive sweating.

It may help seniors drink more water to understand why you need to stay hydrated, and how it helps your body stay functioning well.   Check out all these reasons to drink more fluids.

Process Medication.  When medications are filtered through your loved one’s kidneys or liver, he or she may have to drink more water to stay healthy. Daily water intake protects organs from permanent damage, prevents certain medical conditions such as kidney stones, and also enables the body to better absorb the medications.

Boost Mental Health.  Cognitive decline is a part of aging, but it can be slowed with some lifestyle changes such as drinking at least eight full cups of water every day. If your loved one has a tough time drinking enough water, you should try serving him or her ice chips or caffeine-free tea. Fresh produce is also an excellent source of water, and the additional nutrients can further boost your loved one’s cognitive health.

Fight Fatigue. Water is as important for your loved one’s energy levels as food, and chronic dehydration can impact his or her motivation. Dehydration can make the heart work harder to pump blood throughout your loved one’s body. This is one of the many reasons why many athletes drink water to boost their energy level before reaching for a snack.

Prevent Obesity.  A recent study at the University of Michigan Medical School shows that dehydrated people tend to have higher obesity rates than hydrated ones. Having a glass of water every few hours can enhance metabolism and suppress appetite. Drinking water just before a meal also helps reduce your loved one’s risk of overeating fatty and sugar-laden foods.

Enhance Cognitive Functioning.  Nearly two-thirds of the brain is water, and this is why confusion and fatigue are two common symptoms of dehydration. Dizziness can also arise when a senior is dehydrated, and this places him or her at risk for serious falls. Seniors who drink plenty of water throughout the day provide the nourishment their brains need to function properly.

Ease Digestive Discomfort. Digestive disorders are common in the golden years as a person’s bodily systems begin to slow down. Constipation, indigestion, and gas pains can be eased by simply drinking water, which helps break down food in the digestive system and enhances the texture of stools.

Prevent Urinary Tract Infections.  The burning pain or urgent need to urinate is preventable through drinking enough water. Not only will water help dilute bacteria and flush it out of the body, it also helps boost the functioning of a senior’s kidneys. While some seniors try to reduce their water intake to handle incontinence, this can lead to dehydration and urinary tract infections, which makes the issue worse. For this reason, doctors advise seniors to try other strategies to reduce leakage while continuing to drink the required amount of water to stay healthy.

Promote Joint Health. Senior adults frequently struggle with arthritis pain, which interferes with their quality of life. One method for healing the pain is to drink more water so the body has the fluids it needs to make lubrication for the joints. With more lubrication, seniors can experience less stiffness and pain as they move throughout the day.

Remember there are many sources of fluids. Older adults don’t have to drink only plain water to get hydrated. Coffee, tea, fruit juice, sweetened beverages, fruits, and vegetables all contain water. If your senior really hates drinking fluids, serve them more foods with high water content to increase their hydration.

Keep water easily accessible. Sometimes, making it easy for seniors to serve themselves could encourage them to drink more water. Try putting a lightweight pitcher of water and a cup near their favorite seat.

Experiment with beverages at different temperatures. Your senior may prefer hot drinks to cold, or the other way around. Experiment to find out which type they like better. Try warming up juices, making decaf iced coffee with cream, or adding soda water to make drinks bubbly.

Try something savory. Those who like savory foods may enjoy drinking hot soup broth. The broth can come from a can, box, or powder, but some older adults really like it – especially in cold weather.

Make popsicles.  Homemade popsicles made from fruit juice or a mix of juice and water are a great summer treat. But they’re also a great way to get fluids into your senior.

Offer smoothies, milkshakes, Ensure, sports drinks. Some stubborn older adults may really resist drinking fluids. If so, you can try enticing them with smoothies, milkshakes, Ensure, or sports drinks. Sometimes they’ll like the flavor or texture and be willing to drink these beverages.

Make it a point to ensure your senior loved one is drinking enough water daily. If your loved one has frequent incontinence, do not compromise on his or her water intake.

Sources: Daily Caring, Home Care Assistance