3 Steps to Help Seniors Improve Hydration

Drinking water and staying hydrated are essential activities of our daily living. However, some of our seniors don't always successfully manage their daily hydration needs, which can cause serious health issues. 

[Dehydration] takes various forms, including water loss dehydration, which is a condition where a reduction in total body water occurs, and water and salt loss dehydration. (Journal of Aging Resources and Lifestyles)

Every year, seniors age 65+ arrive at hospital emergency rooms with dehydration as either the primary or a secondary diagnosis. In order to avoid this scenario, there are practical ways we can help increase seniors' hydration levels. 

3 Steps to Help Seniors Improve Hydration 

Rather than simply wishing or hoping that our loved ones will improve their hydration levels, we can take proactive steps to help them do so. Often simple adjustments can help - and also decrease seniors' chances of hospitalization due to dehydration.

Set Benchmarks

While experts are divided over exactly how much water we should drink every day to maintain proper hydration, the Mayo Clinic offers the following recommendation for total overall fluid consumption:

·About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids for men

·About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women

That sounds like a lot, but remember: this is total fluid consumption, not just water. 

While relatively young and healthy people can rely on their thirst function to remind them when it's time to drink, seniors may feel thirsty much less often than they should. Since they are less likely to sit down and drink a large beverage from top to bottom, a better way to encourage hydration in seniors is to offer them small doses of their favorite hot and cold drinks periodically throughout the day. 

Consulting with a health expert to help you choose a target intake can be a first good step toward making this happen.

Tie Beverage Consumption to a Routine

Many of us drink a glass of something with our meals, and seniors are no different in this regard. In order to increase beverage consumption at other times of day, consider tying hydration to a routine. If they're accustomed to sitting down with a book in the afternoons, suggest having a cup of tea. Pair a glass of juice with their nightly TV time. By matching a beverage with a routine, you make it less likely to be overlooked. 

Rotate in Liquid Meals and Snacks

Nourishing soups, stews, and smoothies are great ways to help our seniors take in more liquids without making it feel like a chore. By regularly working these items into their diets, we can help them take in more liquid in a natural (and delicious!) way without drawing undue attention to the issue. 

Best of all, those seniors who still enjoy getting into the kitchen and staying involved in food prep can take an active role in keeping themselves healthy and hydrated. 

We Can Help

To learn more about Senior Helpers' in home senior care services throughout the Greater Oklahoma City metro, please feel free to contact us. 

We look forward to hearing from you!