If Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, or another family member is living out their golden years, you may, occasionally, find yourself worrying about them. Rest assured, that is not unreasonable. As people age, through no fault of their own, they may become less self-sufficient. They may forget to eat or not feel like cooking, not drink enough fluids, and/or forget how to execute normal daily living activities.
If they aren’t drinking and eating healthily, hydration for your loved one – as well as nutrition – could be near hazardously low levels. It is particularly important that aging loved ones – to feel their best and stay healthy – hydrate sufficiently.
If malnutrition, dehydration, falls, and more, become a concern, it may be time to consider an assisted living community or memory care community.
Dehydration
The risk of negative outcomes significantly increases with dehydration. In older adults, some of these are as follows:
- Increased mortality
- Morbidity – an increase in illness
- Disability and more
Chronic dehydration is a problem for approximately 20% to 30% of aging adults, according to the Journal of Gerontology Nursing 2015 published research.
Why Do Aging Adults Dehydrate?
Sometimes you just aren’t thirsty. Unfortunately, lack of thirst can be common in some older adults. So, that can contribute to dehydration. Another contributor is the fact that the kidneys’ ability to concentrate urine and conserve water decreases as people age. So, that can reduce body-stored water. Also affecting the body’s ability to store water is declining muscle mass.
Anxieties surrounding urinary incontinence and type II diabetes can affect a person in a couple of ways: Emotionally, so they don’t drink as many fluids as they should, and type II diabetes can affect a person to the point where urination is excessive.
Also at risk of not hydrating enough are individuals with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, etc.
Dehydration’s Negative Effects
Even mild dehydration, for people of any age, can contribute to decreased cognitive function, reduced coordination, loss of strength, fatigue, and confusion. In older adults, these effects are exacerbated for a couple of reasons:
- Their response to their body sensing dehydration may be blunted.
- Underlying chronic conditions are more likely to exist.
The symptoms just mentioned can contribute to any number of things including injury, accidents, and falls. Hypovolemic shock, muscle damage, and kidney damage can result in severe cases of dehydration. The ability to overcome health complications, heal, and fight infection may also decrease with dehydration.
Noticing Dehydration
If you are worried about a loved one suffering from dehydration, have a talk with them and their doctor. They may be predisposed to dehydration courtesy of a particular medical condition. Talk about getting them a physical, and mention the prescription medications they might be taking, their health history, and more. Some conditions that could come into play here include diabetes, prediabetes, the natural aging process, and others.
The early signs of dehydration are as follows:
- Muscle cramps
- Dizziness
- Fatigue and more
If you detect these in your loved one, and they are getting on in years, it may be time to take action. You may also notice dehydration after diarrhea, vomiting, or fever.
Methods Through Which to Stay Hydrated
To stay hydrated, do the following:
- With you at all times, keep a reusable, filtering water bottle
- Reduce alcohol and coffee intake
- Don’t use diuretics unless you have to
- Hydrate with soup, produce, and other healthy fluids or high fluid content foods
Concerned About the Health and Welfare of Your Loved One? Talk to Us at Discovery Village At Sarasota Bay
For every resident, we deliver personalized care with a team of specially trained wellness and health professionals. What’s more, they’ll find happiness and comfort through the complimentary transportation, housekeeping, and concierge services, with a full calendar of events, and a full-time activities director.
There is also on-duty staff, 24/7, at Discovery Village At Sarasota Bay. Between the new friends they make and the staff on hand, your loved one will be observed and evaluated regularly.
If you have further questions, feel free to contact us at 941.216.1531. If you’d like to schedule a tour, we’d love to show you around. Click here for our convenient online form.
