Senior Care in Fresno, CA: Does Your Senior Drink Enough Water?

The importance of water can’t be discussed enough, especially in senior care. Many seniors require more fluid than the average person to stay hydrated. Dehydration can lead to medical risks that worsen over time.

Water: How Much is Enough?

When it comes to how much water you need, the answer varies. Factors like your body weight, activity level and weather play a part in the number of liquids you need to remain hydrated. Generally, a senior should consume one cup of water for every 20 pounds of their body weight.

Our bodies are composed of more than 50% water. Each day, our bodies lose 2-3 quarts of water, which needs to be replenished. Water helps our bodies remain efficient in many ways including regulating body temperature, helping your organs absorb nutrients, and increases the efficiency of the immune system. Ask your primary care physician to learn more about their water intake and senior care.

Symptoms of Dehydration

As you age, your body loses its water content. The decreasing of thirst sensation and increase of medications for certain diseases can increase dehydration. Seniors with mobility and continence issues may limit their water intake to prevent themselves from going to the bathroom. If the senior suffers from memory problems, they could forget how much they’ve drunk or if they’ve drank at all.

Mild symptoms of dehydration include headaches, dry or sticky mouth, fatigue, constipation, muscle cramping, and infrequent or dark urination. Severe symptoms include fainting, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and a drop in blood pressure. Over time, these symptoms can lead to serious health problems including urinary tract infections, kidney stones, heat stroke, and seizures.

How to Increase Fluid Intake

To encourage a senior to drink more fluid, you’ll have to get creative. Below are tips to help you along the way:

1. Have them drink a full glass of water with medication.
2. Keep a water bottle by them so they can take frequent sips.
3. Make smoothies combining both water and fruit.
4. Always keep a pitcher of water in the fridge.
5. Introduce fruits and vegetables with high water content.

Best Time to Drink Water

To optimize their water drinking, you should help them prioritize drinking water at certain times throughout the day.

• Morning: helps activate internal organs
• Before meals: helps with digestion, activates taste buds, moistens the mouth and stomach for foods
• After exercise: replenishes water lost during perspiration
• Before bed: prevents leg cramping

Hydration is key in helping seniors avoid health complications, promote their senior care, and optimize their bodies. Encourage your senior to drink more water today, and it’ll help their senior care thrive well into the future.

Call Visiting Angels of Fresno to learn more about our senior care and how we can help your loved one feel safe and comfortable in their own home.