Dehydration occurs when a person loses more water than they take in. And it is very common among older adults. Seniors have a greater risk of becoming dehydrated than younger people since the body’s mechanisms that protect us from dehydration work less as we age. Underlying conditions and chronic diseases are also some of the reasons why seniors get dehydrated.
Your non-medical home care provider or your doctor can help you maintain your loved one’s daily hydration regimen. Check for cracked lips, dry mouth and skin, and the frequency of their urination to see if your loved one is dehydrated right now.
You can also talk with our home health aide in California if you are around the area. But here are some tips that will help you along the way and help your older adults to stay hydrated.
- Offer fluids often during the day, consider doing this on a schedule. You can offer smaller amounts of fluid since they may be reluctant to drink larger quantities.
- Make sure your loved one eats water-rich foods such as fruit and vegetables. You can also offer them soup or their favorite healthy beverage.
- Always check their urine color if it is light or a shade of darker brown. Dark urine is a classic sign of dehydration.
- Educate your loved ones why it is important to drink fluids even when they’re not thirsty.
- Keep water visible to them to remind them to drink. You can keep a water bottle next to the bed or their favorite chair.
All of these tips will help you prevent dehydration in your elders. Treatment for dehydration depends on how severe it is. If you don’t know what to do, you can talk to All City Caregivers. We are your provider for home care services in Simi Valley, California.
