On top of fighting the aging process, aging family members face increased health risks due to dehydration. Studies have shown that people in their golden years are more likely to become dehydrated than other age groups. They can also get overheated or malnourished more easily without adequate hydration. For aging adults who live on their own, staying hydrated can be even more challenging because you can’t keep an eye on how much you’re drinking on your own. Here are some hydration tips for the elderly that you can implement in your daily life.
Keep Water at Hand in Your Room
Drinking water is essential for hydration, and if you live in assisted living communities or senior housing, it can be challenging to remember to keep enough at hand. Keeping a pitcher of water on your nightstand is one way to ensure that you are meeting your daily water needs throughout the day. Ensure that you or other caregivers check these pitchers regularly, as they can quickly go empty over time.
Set Up Beverage Stations in Common Areas
A great way to ensure that the elderly remain hydrated throughout their day is to set up beverage stations in common areas of their homes. It’s also a good idea to place pitchers of water in each room of their house. These steps will prevent your loved ones from having to navigate through multiple rooms when they get thirsty, and they’ll keep them hydrated during TV commercial breaks. Be sure to provide high-quality drinking glasses for these stations as well. There are many options available at most big box stores, and they make it easy for the elderly to hold onto glasses while also providing ample space for ice cubes.
Tempt Them with High-Hydration Snacks
With healthy meals provided in some senior living communities, snacks may seem like an afterthought, but they are an essential part of a resident’s day. Hydration tips start with choosing snacks that add to overall fluid intake. Fresh, light fruit is a good option. So are yogurt-based treats such as frozen yogurt or fruit smoothies. While these options may not count toward a resident’s daily caloric intake, they contribute enough to help them reach their daily hydration goals while adding a little something sweet at snack time!
Turn Hydration into a Social Event
Invite friends over for a delicious, homemade meal with plenty of water, or sign up for one of those yummy drink delivery services that take care of mixing up juices and vitamins for you. Your guests will be happy to see you and take part in good conversation over food. Chances are they will stay well-hydrated throughout the event.
Hydration is one of those things that, for most people, comes naturally. It’s easy to drink plenty of water when you’re feeling thirsty, but dehydration can sneak up on you, causing serious health issues if it’s not attended to quickly. On top of that, several hidden signs may indicate your body is already in need of more fluids. Aging family members should make sure to drink plenty of fluid every day to stay hydrated, but avoid diuretics like coffee, tea, and alcohol.
