By Susan Oderwald
Senior Living
Susan Oderwald
More and more seniors visit the emergency room each year due to dehydration. Being dehydrated can cause serious problems and happen to seniors any time of year. But as we enter the summer months, it is especially important to make sure we are all staying hydrated.
As you age, your body’s fluid reserve becomes smaller and your ability to conserve water is reduced. Your thirst sense additionally becomes less acute. These problems are compounded by chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and dementia, and using certain medications. Older adults also may have mobility problems that limit their ability to obtain water for themselves. Many older adults are inconvenienced by needing to eliminate frequently (prostate or overactive bladder issues) and avoid drinking enough for this reason.
Chronic illnesses such as diabetes also puts you at high risk of dehydration, as does kidney disease. Many medications increase urination and can contribute to dehydration. Even having a cold or sore throat makes you more susceptible to dehydration because you’re less likely to feel like eating or drinking when you’re sick.
In addition to challenges around drinking enough, many seniors living in older homes don’t have air conditioning or loath to put it on because of the cost – or they just are not feeling the heat. The lack of air conditioning is potentially very dangerous for older adults, especially during heat waves.
It may sound simple to just drink more, but this can be challenging. Encouraging plenty of fluids regularly throughout the day may not be enough for many seniors, especially people with dementia. Hydrating snacks often work better than pushing water. Bring on the watermelon, grapes, frozen juice pops or some Jello. Some of us will drink more if we add a little fizz – club soda in juices or on its own may be more tempting for some folks. Hot liquids count, but anything with high caffein content will aggravate an overactive bladder and may end up more dehydrating than hydrating.
Be aware of major symptoms of dehydration that may warrant immediate medical attention. These include not urinating or dark urine, confusion, rapid heartbeat and/or breathing, listlessness, shock or delirium.
As always, please check on elderly neighbors, friends and relatives during hot weather to ensure they are doing okay with the heat.
Susan Oderwald is care director at the Always Best Care Senior Services Milford Office. She can be reached at Soderwald@abc-seniors.com or 203-877-1377.