As you probably already know, the human body is mostly made out of water. Losing a small percent of this water can result in dehydration and this has serious consequences on health. Dehydration in seniors is even more problematic as the elderly naturally have less water content in their bodies in comparison with younger people.
Luckily, you can do something to protect your family members. It’s important to learn how to recognize the signs of dehydration and take action immediately. You’ll find everything you need to know in this article, so keep reading.
Excessive Sleepiness
When the body starts to lose water content, it doesn’t function properly. In such cases, it defaults to a state in which it can recover and this is usually done by going to sleep. If your loved ones complain of feeling sleepy most of the time, this could be caused by dehydration.
Low Blood Pressure
Although the elderly usually struggle with high blood pressure, dehydration can cause the exact opposite. Having low blood pressure means that the blood is barely moving through veins and arteries. The person living with low blood pressure has little to no energy, feels fragile, and his/her cognitive abilities are also reduced.
If you see signs of low blood pressure in your loved ones, this might be caused by dehydration. Give your family members one or two glasses of water and see how they feel. In most cases, rehydrating the body fixes the problem.
Cold Body Extremities
As mentioned earlier, dehydration might cause low blood pressure and this means that the blood is not circulating properly. In such cases, it might have a hard time reaching the extremities of the body such as hands, feet, ears, and so on. If your loved ones routinely have cold extremities, it might be because they don’t drink enough water.
Constipation
This is another common sign of dehydration in the elderly. The stool requires a decent amount of water to form in the lower intestines and this water will also facilitate excretion. If the body doesn’t have enough water supplies, constipation might become a problem.
However, it’s important to also consider other aspects. Constipation can also be caused by eating too little fiber content. Ideally, you should encourage your loved ones to eat a decent amount of fiber and drink plenty of liquids to enjoy better regularity.
Inability to Sweat or Produce Tears
This symptom is pretty self-explanatory. Sweating is one of the most important bodily mechanisms. It keeps the body cold, eliminates toxins, and keeps the skin fresh. If the body doesn’t have enough water content, sweating might become difficult.
This can also reduce the ability to produce tears. Keep in mind that tears keep the eyes moist and this ensures healthy vision. Make sure that your loved ones drink enough water to avoid becoming dehydrated.
At Discover Village At Dominion, we strive to provide excellent care and support for residents living in our community. Our team members are very attentive and trained to provide customized personal care for your loved ones. Contact us today to learn more about our senior living community and the programs we offer.
