Keeping properly hydrated can be a challenge for anyone of any age, but older adults can find that they struggle with a less acute sense of thirst and a decreased ability for water retention. When that’s the case, dehydration in your older parent can become all too common. Thankfully, dehydration is easy to spot and remedy. In this article, we share with you some signs to watch out for.
Is Your Loved One Drinking Regularly?
Oftentimes, it’s not as simple as drinking when you are thirsty. If your loved one waits till they are thirsty to start drinking, they can end up drinking less than their required 8 glasses a day! To ensure that your older parent stays hydrated throughout the day, remind them to bring a bottle with them when they are out and about.
How Often Is Your Loved One Using the Bathroom?
Decreased urination is one clear sign of dehydration. You can also tell if someone is dehydrated if the color of their urine is darker than normal. Of course, the root cause of these symptoms could be another medical condition, but nevertheless, you will want to check all possible boxes.
Is Your Loved One Experiencing Headaches or Feeling Giddy?
We have all been there before: You get a headache that doesn’t seem to go away but after downing a few glasses of water, it starts to resolve by itself. In fact, the headaches we commonly associate with hangovers are a result of dehydration, which happens after excessive alcohol consumption. If your loved one is experiencing unexplained headaches or feeling giddy often, dehydration may very well be the culprit.
In fact, you will not want to wait till your parent is experiencing severe dehydration, as this can result in heatstroke which is potentially life-threatening. If you are concerned about the symptoms your loved one is exhibiting, bring them to a doctor immediately, where they can get their heart rate, blood pressure, and vitals checked out.
Does Your Loved One Struggle with Constipation?
Constipation can be a sign of long-term dehydration. When the body doesn’t get enough fluids, waste material remains hard and can be painful to expel from the body. Chronic constipation can point toward your loved one not getting enough fluids on a regular basis. Before going to your doctor for laxatives, encourage your loved one to drink more water and monitor if the situation improves.
Discovery Village At Stuart Is the Retirement Community of Choice for Area Residents
If you are looking to make the move to an assisted living community where your every need can be taken care of, you have come to the right place at Discovery Village At Stuart. A comprehensive range of lifestyle programs is in place to promote the overall well-being of our residents, including senior health programs, weekly housekeeping services, and a calendar of recreational activities. We welcome you to schedule a tour of our campus today and discover why you should make the move for yourself!
