Prevention of Dehydration in Elderly Adults

Dehydration at any age can be dangerous, especially for elderly adults. In some instances, dehydration can put someone in the hospital. If you need to take care of an elderly loved one, you should make sure they don’t get dehydrated. Here are some tips that can help you and their senior care providers to prevent dehydration in your loved one.

Senior Care East Berlin PA - Prevention of Dehydration in Elderly Adults

Senior Care East Berlin PA – Prevention of Dehydration in Elderly Adults

Keep Fluids Close-By

One of the best tips for the prevention of dehydration in elderly adults is to keep fluids close by all day and night. This will prevent your elderly loved one from having to constantly get up and go get a drink. It will also assure that they don’t forget they need to be consuming more water because it will be nearby them all the time.

Check the Color of Your Loved One’s Urine

Another thing that you or your loved one’s senior care providers can do is to periodically check the color of their urine. If it is lighter in color, this means they are hydrated well. If it becomes cloudy or darker in color, this may mean they are becoming dehydrated. You should get them to consume more fluids at that point.

Water-Filled Foods

In addition to making sure your elderly loved one drinks enough water, you should make sure they are eating enough water-filled foods. These foods might include smoothies, vegetables, broths, soups, fruits, and more. If your elderly loved one is eating enough of these foods and consuming water, they shouldn’t be getting dehydrated. In addition, you should assure that your elderly loved one doesn’t skip meals or else they would be skipping out on fluid consumption.

Avoiding Alcohol and Caffeine

Alcohol and caffeine can cause dehydration. If your loved one is drinking alcohol or caffeine, they should certainly do so in moderation. However, it is best if they can quit consuming these two things altogether.

Monitor Their Fluid Intake

Another way to prevent dehydration in elderly adults is to monitor their fluid intake. You can keep track of this on an electronic app or in a basic notebook. Write down or track how often they are drinking water or eating water-filled foods. Write down the times they are doing this, as well.

Track Medications

There are certain medications, such as laxatives, that can lead to dehydration. Make sure you keep track of the medications that your elderly loved one is taking and pay attention to whether those are causing dehydration. If they are, talk to your loved one’s doctor about changing the medications they are taking.

These are some of the tips for the prevention of dehydration in seniors. Now that you have these tips, you can help to keep your loved one hydrated.

Sources:  https://medlineplus.gov/dehydration.html

If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Care Services in East Berlin PA, please talk to us. Our friendly staff can answer all of your questions.  In-home Senior Care in Adams and York Counties, PA. Call Today: (717) 698-8258.

Jessica Ott