Tips from At-Home Care Experts On How to Prevent Winter Dehydration for Seniors

When providing at-home care for a senior loved one in Longmont, CO, make sure they stay properly hydrated at all times

Staying well-hydrated is important throughout the year, not only in the summer when blazing heats make us perspire more. This is especially true for older adults because of their diminished sense of thirst. If you are providing care for a loved one, here are some useful tips for combating dehydration in your aging parent or relative during the winter months.

At Visiting Angels of Boulder County, our at-home care experts point out that some of the reasons for a lack of water retention in older adults include:

• Fever, often the result of a flu
• Diarrhea that can be accompanied with vomiting, caused by a stomach illness
• Diabetes
• Increased urination that comes as a side effect from certain medications
• The process of aging, as it can often cause a reduction in our sense of thirst

Below are some of the signs and symptoms of dehydration:

• Amplified sense of thirst
• Decreased urine output
• Fatigue, sometimes accompanied by a headache
• Dry nasal passages
• Cracked lips, dry mouth, dry eye syndrome, reduced sweating, muscle cramps, nausea and vomiting, lightheadedness
• Sudden, unexpected weakness that can occur as the organs are receiving less blood
• Coma and organ failure can occur when dehydration is neglected
• Anxiety and confusion

Should you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical attention for your loved one immediately.

How At-Home Care Can Help Your Loved One Stay Hydrated

We strongly recommend these six remedies to prevent winter dehydration:

1. Fluid resuscitation treatment, which is a practice of replenishing bodily fluids by drinking increased quantities of water, juice, soups, clear broth, Popsicles, Jell-O, ice cream, milk, puddings, decaffeinated beverages, Kool-Aid and nutritional drink supplements.  
2. Reduce or totally cut out dehydrating beverages. Your loved one might want to consider avoiding coffee and soft drinks as well as quitting alcohol as all these beverages increase the risk of dehydration.
3. If your loved one still enjoys an occasional soda or soft drink and they are reluctant to give it up, at-home care experts suggest your loved one simply add more water to their daily intake. This way, dehydration caused by those drinks will be leveled by the increased amount of consumed water.
4. Increase their fruit and vegetable intake. As most fruits and veggies have a high water content, remind Mom or Dad to eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits daily.
5. Make sure your loved one hydrates throughout the day. It’s best if they drink small quantities at a time rather than gulping down lots of water at once. You can opt for filling Mom or Dad’s 24-32 ounce tumbler three times a day - in the morning, around noon and later in the afternoon.
6. If Mom or dad have diarrhea or are vomiting, try altering their diet and use medications to control arising symptoms and minimize fluid loss. Consider acetaminophen or ibuprofen, as they are often used to control fever.

Visiting Angels of Boulder County is a leading provider of non-medical at-home care for seniors. To learn more about the in-home assisted living services provided by our staff of compassionate caregivers, please call our Longmont office at (303) 828-2664 or contact us for more information.

Visiting Angels proudly serves Allenspark, Boulder, Eldorado Springs, Erie, Hygiene, Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville, Lyons, Nederland, Niwot, Pinecliff, Ward, and the surrounding areas of Boulder County, CO.