Six Easy Recommendations To Lower Seniors’ Risk Of Dehydration
Discover the causes of higher seniors’ risk of dehydration and easiest ways to lower seniors’ risk of dehydration which can be incorporated into your daily routine if you are taking care of an aging parent at home.
What Causes Higher Seniors’ Risk Of Dehydration
The Mayo Clinic states that as you become older, your body’s fluid reserves get smaller, you’re less able to store water, and your thirst is less intense.
- Chronic conditions like diabetes and dementia as well as the usage of specific drugs exacerbate these issues.
- Mobility issues in older persons may also make it difficult for them to get water on their own.
- Ask (or watch) to see whether your senior relatives are displaying any of the usual symptoms of dehydration, such as lethargy, confusion, headaches, dizziness, or thirst, when you visit them or call to check on them.
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Six Recommendations to Lower Seniors’ Risk of Dehydration
Here are some simple ideas for ensuring your seniors and elderly friends drink water enough daily! You can incorporate this into your daily routine if you are taking care of an aging parent at home.
#1 Establish a drinking regimen each day.
Put it up on the fridge. It doesn’t have to be extremely structured. It can be as easy as drinking a full glass of water in the morning, a drink after going for a daily stroll, reading the newspaper, in between each meal, and after working in the garden.
#2 Every morning, fill a pitcher with water.
Check to see if it has been consumed by evening. This is a fantastic approach to lower senior’s risk of dehydration by getting the recommended quantity of water each day.
What volume should they be drinking?
According to the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the following amounts of water should be consumed each day:
- Men need about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of hydration every day.
- Women should drink about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluid each day.
#3 Consume a sports drink
Younger folks and people of all ages who routinely exercise are all over sports drinks, powdered electrolyte drink mix, and tablets that replace electrolytes. Additionally, they frequently mix Pedialyte with water in their sports bottles. These are also effective treatments to lower seniors’ risk of dehydration. Try out several beverages, such as electrolyte-infused water and Gatorade. They have lots of delicious fruit alternatives.
#4 Increase your fruit and vegetable intake
You don’t have to fill all of your fluid requirements with water. Many fruits and vegetables, including spinach, grapefruit, and watermelon, are virtually entirely composed of water. The Mayo Clinic states that 20% of a person’s daily fluid intake typically comes from food and the other 80% from drinks.
As part of their Brain Healthy Cooking Program, the chefs at Senior Living Residences have prepared meals you should try, such this Grapefruit Mint Salad or the Watermelon Salsa. They are also good recommendation to lower seniors’ Risk of dehydration and are good for senior’s brain, also!
Also Read: FIVE (5) SMART FOODS FOR A HEALTHY BRAIN
#5 Be creative
When given only plain water to drink, people get bored. By incorporating different fresh berry fruits, watermelon, cucumber, and herbs like mint and basil into a pitcher or glass of water, you can experiment with unique flavors. Seltzers are now available in a wide range of tastes, from the traditional lemon and lime to the more recent tropical cherry and watermelon mojito. For an even stronger kick, combine a little juice with these flavored seltzer waters. Try some fresh herbal iced teas. Coconut water is good. These drinks, along with milk and all juices, are mostly made of water. They are a viable remedy for preventing dehydration in seniors.
#6 Treat yourself.
Snack on a popsicle. Create a root beer float, ice cream soda, milkshake, or fruit smoothie! These all contribute to hydration. Just remember not to rely only on them for your daily hydration needs.
We’re all looking forward to the cooler weather, so good luck staying hydrated!