Why is Hydration Crucial for the Health of Seniors?
Some people have a greater risk of dehydration, such as the elderly, who feel less thirsty. They often have to take drugs that promote dehydration. Thus, their renal function is less good and the adaptation of their body is less effective.
The weight of a body in adulthood is about 60% water. The proportion goes up to 50% for a senior. However, it is proven that seniors do not hydrate enough. This creates several problems for the health of senior people. Their thirst is often less noticeable, whereas their needs do not reduce. The estimate of the water quantity represented by the daily needs is also questioned. It is often wrong and too frequently overestimated. So it is difficult to establish the amount drunk in a day by seniors.
In hospitals or retirement homes, the hydration of the elderly is the main work of the nursing staff. Caregivers and nurses must redouble their tricks to make elderly people drink: still or sparkling water, coffee, tea, syrup, fruit juice… The main aim is to avoid dehydration because these patients are already fragile, and lack of water could be dangerous. Dehydration is still today one of the main causes of hospitalization of the elderly.
Indeed, here are the risks of dehydration in the elderly:
Risk of hypotension
Increased fatigue and therefore the risk of falls
Worsening of kidney function
Increased risk of cognitive impairment
Increased infections that lead to fever
Dehydration of the Elderly: The Warning Signs
Here are the signs of dehydration of the elderly:
Dry tongue
A voltage drop
Difficulties to walk
Fever
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Now the question is, How to have a good hydration of seniors.
Hydrate Better To Stay Healthy:
Water is an essential nutrient for the health of seniors. Also, the nutrition also plays a vital role in maintaining good health of seniors. It must be balanced, healthy, and provide sufficient nutrients and energy intake recommended. Protein, calcium, fiber, and hydration are the four pillars of good health. The rule of effective hydration is, to drink at least 1.5 liters throughout the day including mineralized water.
Hydration is the Heart of the Health of seniors
For each senior hydration is important! Find here all our tips for adopting the right hydration habit.
First Advice to Implement:
Drink throughout the day, regularly, even if you do not feel the sensation of thirst invade yourself and drink. In addition, it is easier to encourage small amounts throughout the day than drinking 1.5 liters in one go. Break up the day to facilitate your hydration intake: morning wake up, breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner and evening bedtime.
Then, no matter where you are, consider having the insulated water bottle of a reputed company. Small, medium, or large, a bottle of water at hand, wherever you are (kitchen, bedside table, sitting room, on a walk …), this practice will help you to have good hydration.
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Finally, in summer, be even more vigilant and increase the amount of water intake (at least 2.5 liters per day) to compensate for your perspiration. Seniors must follow this practice in case of fever.
Finally, to help you to understand the water drinking volumes during the day, remember that 1.5 liters of water equal to about eight glasses. If you are unable to drink at this level, choose foods rich in water like melon and other fruits, tomato, cucumber, sorbet, cottage cheese…
For seniors who are not fond of water, so you can replace some requirements of water with soup, broth, herbal tea, tea or coffee. Must hydrate yourself and have fun!
Our Recommendations for Protein Intake:
Good hydration is not enough. To maintain a sufficient muscle mass and not to suffer a muscular loss, the seniors must also make sure to fill their needs in proteins. The key to achieving this is a balanced diet of seniors. Vegetable or animal proteins, they must have a good quality of food that will be effective. They will thus not only facilitate cell renewal but will also allow better recovery in the event of a health problem.
With age, older people face a greater risk of dehydration than other age groups of the population. All of the advice given above will help to prevent the reduction of your water supply, reduce the thirst and the proper working of your kidneys and avoid any type of urine infection. If you really want to have a healthier life, dehydration must be taken very seriously.
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