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Drink Up: Older Adults are Prone to Dehydration
Staying hydrated is an essential part of maintaining good health, regardless of your age. While awareness of the need to drink more water has undoubtedly increased, made known by the booming popularity of reusable water bottles, seniors have missed the hydration trend.
At the best internal medicine practice in Tarzana, California, primary care physician Samuel Fink, MD, leads our team in caring for the unique health needs of older adults. Seniors can face a wide variety of serious health issues, and dehydration can be a catalyst for many of them. Additionally, being older increases your risk of dehydration in general.
If you’re a senior patient or a caregiver for one, here are some key points we’d like to highlight regarding hydration.
How hydration differs with age
As we get older, many aspects of our body’s systems and functionality begin to change, and several issues can develop that directly affect hydration, including:
Change in thirst signals
Aging can alter some of the physiological control systems associated with feeling thirsty, meaning many seniors may not even realize they’re thirsty or dehydrated. By the time an older adult feels thirsty, the dehydration might be severe.
Risk of incontinence
Since urinary incontinence is a very real struggle for many older adults, the risks associated with loading up on hydrating liquids might be unappealing.
Increased forgetfulness
Many seniors struggle with Alzheimer's, dementia, or memory loss due to aging, so you or your loved one may simply forget to have water with a meal or after taking a walk.
Medications
Medications taken for heart disease or high blood pressure can often lead to issues with staying hydrated.
Illness
Old and young adults alike can be at risk for dehydration when illnesses with a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting strike.
Recognizing signs of dehydration in older adults
Since it can be much harder for you or your loved ones to recognize dehydration, here are indicators to watch out for:
- Dry mouth
- High blood pressure
- High heart rate
- Dizziness
- Infrequent urination
- Dark yellow urine
- Sunken eyes
- Fatigue/weakness
- Muscle cramps
- Constipation
It’s incredibly important to recognize these signs because if dehydration goes untreated for too long, you can face more dangerous complications such as falls, kidney failure, urinary tract infections (UTIs), or loss of cognitive skills.
Tips for staying hydrated
It’s recommended that adults drink approximately seven cups of water per day. If your loved one is struggling to stay hydrated, here are some helpful tips:
- Encourage them to drink smaller amounts throughout the day
- Try adding some water flavoring
- Track their water intake throughout the day
- Increase quantity and frequency when it’s hot or they’re sick
If you’re a senior or care for an elderly loved one, and you’re worried about dehydration, schedule an appointment with Dr. Fink to set your mind at ease. Simply call our office or use our convenient online booking feature today.
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