Dehydration in the elderly

Debbie from Cardrona Rest Home & Hospital

As the warm weather fades and we move into autumn it is important to remember to keep well hydrated. Dehydration can pose big health risks for older adults in warm or cold weather.

The elderly are more “at risk” for dehydration for a number of reasons. Our body’s ability to conserve water diminishes with age, which makes it tough to adapt to the fluctuating temperatures we have been having lately. Also the sensation of being thirsty reduces which means someone could be dehydrated before they even feel thirsty. Some medications or medical conditions can also have an impact.

Signs to look out for include headache, constipation, muscle cramps, dry mouth and tongue, and sleepiness or lethargy. Urine should be clear or light yellow for someone who is properly hydrated. If it continues unchecked, it can cause someone to become quite ill, signs of this include little or no urination, dark coloured urine and weakness or dizziness.

Drinking plenty of fluids and eating foods with high water content is a great way to keep our bodies properly hydrated. Water isn’t the only option though, if your family members are anything like mine they do not like drinking plain water all the time. Offer them something that they like as they are more likely to drink it! Tea and coffee are fine as well. Smaller cups on a regular basis may be the best option for someone who is forgetful or has continence issues.

Keeping track of fluid intake is a simple but important part of caring for your loved ones.