Hydration is important year-round, but for older adults, it can be harder to manage. In the summer heat, hydration can be a matter of life and death. Unfortunately, many older adults struggle to drink enough water daily. While it’s never good to be dehydrated, in the Summer, it can be deadly. This article will look at the dangers of dehydration and how you can help encourage your aging loved one to drink more water.
Dehydration Risks for Older Adults
As you age, your body’s capacity for water retention decreases. Additionally, your body’s receptors can dull. This means that you are less tuned in to when your body needs water. The combination of dulled receptors and poorer retention can cause elders to not realize that they need water. Certain medications, as well as chronic conditions such as diabetes and dementia, can affect these receptors, too. Mobility issues with age can also contribute to dehydration, as it becomes harder to access water.
Health Risks from Dehydration
Dehydration can lead to dizziness, muscle weakness, confusion, cramps, bladder problems, and constipation. Additionally, chronic dehydration can also cause more serious health issues. Urinary and kidney issues, low blood volume complications, and even seizures can develop from a lack of water.
Heat and Hydration
While there are plenty of health risks from dehydration normally, the summer heat can create many more risk factors. Water is essential to the body’s natural cooling functions. Sweating, for example, helps the body cool by expelling stored water onto the skin. The body can’t sweat if there is no water to release. Dehydration during the summer can contribute to heat stroke risk. A lack of hydration can also make symptoms of sunburn and sun poisoning much worse.
Dehydration Prevention Tips
The best way to prevent dehydration is to drink water. It is important to drink a few glasses of water with each meal. Encourage your loved one to drink water before, during, and after exercising. When spending time outside in the heat, water can be extra important.
Taking Pills with Water
If your loved one has to swallow pills, they are likely drinking liquid to assist in taking the medicine. Instruct them to drink a full glass of water with their pills, not just a few sips. This can help them intake more water. Proper water consumption can also help distribute the medicine more efficiently through the body.
For Adults Who Hate Water
Some people do not like drinking water. It may help to flavor the water to help encourage drinking. Avoid flavorings and additives. Instead, add natural and healthy ingredients to their water. Common ingredients include lemon, cucumber, lime, mint, rosemary, or berries. Try switching up these add-ins on occasion to keep them interested.
Water-Rich Fruits and Veggies
Consider more water-rich vegetables and fruits for your loved one’s meals and snacks. Melons, berries, celery, romaine, peppers, cucumbers, oranges, and spinach all contain a lot of water. For these vegetables, serving them raw is best for hydration purposes.
Soups and Smoothies
Serving soup is a great way to add extra water to your loved one’s diet, but the summertime may be too hot for that. Consider making your loved one a healthy, refreshing smoothie with water, fruit, and even some vegetables. Gazpacho and other cold soup recipes may be an interesting avenue to explore.
Shade Is Your Friend
When going outside with your loved one, sit them in the shade and give them a sun hat. You sweat more in the sun, leading to more dehydration. Shade can also help reduce the risk of developing heat exhaustion, sunburn, and heat stroke.
Don’t Just Drink When You Are Thirsty
As mentioned above, it can be harder for older people to feel thirsty. As such, consistent water consumption is a helpful way to combat dehydration. This can be extra important in the summer heat. Even if they are staying indoors in the air conditioning, consistent hydration can be vital.
Safe Harbor Healthcare Services does not provide medical, healthcare, or financial advice via articles. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide and should not be relied on for advice.
Safe Harbor Healthcare Services has provided excellent home care on Staten Island since 1967. Our services help older and disabled individuals live safely and independently while giving their families the peace of mind they need. For more information, contact us or call (718)-979-6900.
