The Risk of Dehydration of the Older and How to Prevent Dehydration
The Risk of Dehydration of the Older and How to Prevent Dehydration
It is a nurse experience; she was the coordinator at the Adhap Services in France. Her experience in rural areas has confronted the isolation of the elderly person and the risks it incurs, especially during hot weather. Here are her tips to educate seniors and their caretakers on the need to hydrate regularly.
Dehydration: How to Prevent Dehydration?
Aging leads to many physiological changes. The feeling of thirst diminishes in the elderly, which often goes hand in hand with a decrease in appetite. And the kidneys become less and less effective.
What is Dehydration?
Water is the essential element of our body. Dehydration is an excessive loss of water content in the body. This lack of water causes a loss of minerals such as sodium and potassium.
What are the Causes of Dehydration?
Diarrhea, vomiting, certain chronic diseases, certain side effects of medication, hyperthermia, periods of high heat (heat wave) can lead to dehydration. Loss of autonomy in the elderly can also promote the onset of dehydration. We see, for example, some people with cognitive disorders who forget to drink; others who refuse to hydrate.
How to Prevent the Risk of Dehydration of the Elderly Person?
Here are some simple tips to prevent dehydration of the elderly during summer:
- Stimulate people to drink regularly in small amounts throughout the day.
- Set up habits, rituals: for example, reserve a Coldest Water Bottle for one person and use only this bottle on the day. This makes it possible to quantify the water intake.
- The alternate of the water is sparkling water, gelled water if there is a risk of the swallowing disorder. Do not forget tea, herbal tea, fruit juice, coffee, vegetable broth which are also very good water intake. If you buy the coldest stainless steel water bottle, it allows keeping water cold up to 36 hours and similarly for hot items.
- To make the variation, it is possible to add some natural flavors with water like lemon juice, drops of mint or anise.
- Advise the person to always have the coldest water bottle near her/him, even when she/he goes out.
- Offer fruits and vegetables rich in water (tomato, zucchini, salad, apple, watermelon, melon etc), sorbets, ice cream, and yogurt.
- Remember to add enough salt in their food. Salt helps to retain water in the body.
- If necessary, propose a straw or use a glass with a beak to facilitate handling. You can always buy for them a coldest water bottle with wide mouth lid and pack of straws.
- Do not wait for the person to drink. The feeling of thirst decreases with age. You must motivate elders to drink more liquids to stay healthy.
- In case of fever, vomiting, diarrhea, hot weather, it will be necessary for the person to become more hydrated.
Insulated Coldest Stainless Steel Water Bottles:
These are effective ways to prevent dehydration among elders. Our recommendation is to keep two coldest water bottles, one for the cold water or cold liquid. This Huge Growler will carry a load for people that drink water all day. The 2nd water bottle will be for the hot drinks. Remember, the coldest water bottles are strongly built and it will last longer. For more details, please visit the link.
