Tips for Keeping your Elderly Relatives Hydrated
Staying hydrated is vital for people of all ages, but it’s especially important for the elderly who risk facing health complications should they forget to drink. Our bodies are made up of 60% water, but this is lost throughout the day through sweating, digestion, and even breathing - making it essential that we ensure to drink at least 2 litres of water every day.
Here, we share our tips for keeping your elderly relatives hydrated so that they don’t face the negative effects of dehydration.
Why is staying hydrated important for elderly people?
Staying hydrated is important for elderly people as a lack of fluids can lead to lots of unwanted health complications. Not drinking enough can cause dizziness which may lead to falls, confusion, and an increased risk of contracting a painful UTI.
What are the signs of dehydration in elderly people?
If your elderly relative complains of a headache, has dry lips, or is feeling particularly weak, it could be due to dehydration. Encouraging them to drink a couple of glasses of water or another beverage could help them to feel better.
Tips for keeping elderly relatives hydrated
There are a number of ways to ensure that your elderly relative is getting enough water, including the following:
- Encourage them to a drink to hand, as this will remind them to take regularly sips.
- Experiment with different beverages, both hot and cold. Perhaps try a range of fruit teas or add citrus fruit to cold water for something that’s both hydrating and refreshing.
- Including foods that contain water in an elderly relative’s diet will also help to keep them hydrated. Salad items, such as cucumber and tomatoes are ideal as they contain lots of water, as are juicy fruits (like apples and oranges) which make hydrating snacks.
Now that you’ve read our tips for keeping elderly relatives hydrated, you can ensure that they stay healthy at home or in their care home setting.
