Do You Know Why Your Elderly Loved One Might Be Dehydrated?

Senior Care in Edison NJ

Dehydration is a tremendous problem for elderly loved ones. Often they’re not sure how much water they should be drinking or they simply don’t pay attention to whether they’ve had any water or not. This can contribute to a variety of other ailments.

Her Age Can Be a Factor

As your loved one ages, she starts to be less aware of how thirsty she is, which can make her drink less water. She may also have issues with how her kidneys process waste removal, which can make her more dehydrated than usual. One way around this is to keep track of how much water your loved one is drinking and prompt her to drink more water, even if she’s not feeling thirsty right then. Sipping water all day can help her to stay hydrated.

Her Illnesses or Medications Could Be a Factor

If your loved one has a variety of different ailments or takes a range of medications, they can affect how her body processes liquids. Your loved one might also run a low-grade fever now and again, which can cause her body to be too warm to hold onto much of the liquid that she takes in. It’s important to talk with her doctor if you’re concerned that her health is affecting her ability to stay hydrated.

She May Be Less Mobile

In some situations, your loved one might be less mobile overall, such as when she has arthritis. Getting up to get more water may be something that is more of a hassle than she wants to undertake, so she simply waits. This can turn into a bigger problem if she allows herself to become too dehydrated, however.

Look for Solutions

You may not always have the exact right solution right out of the gate, but it’s important to find ways to keep your loved one drinking plenty of hydrating fluids. Try keeping several bottles of water throughout the house so that your loved one always has easy access to something to drink. You can also try working with your loved one’s medical team and senior care providers to ensure that she’s getting exactly the amount of water that she needs to stay fully hydrated.

Tracking your loved one’s water intake isn’t as difficult as it seems. Try using one pitcher to pour water from and then at the end of the day, you’ll know how much water was used.

If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care in Edison, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Care Street Home Care of New Brunswick today. Call (732) 607-8870.