Summertime Brings Swimming, Fun and Dehydration

Summertime is a wonderful time of year for outdoor activities. Unfortunately, it also brings hot weather, and many times, dehydration for seniors.

Summertime is a wonderful time of year for outdoor activities – people go on picnics, barbeques, go swimming and enjoy those long warm evenings that are perfect for sitting outside on the porch. But, unfortunately, it also brings hot weather and many times dehydration for seniors.

Seniors are at the greatest risk of dehydration and it can be potentially life-threatening for them.  A senior between the ages of 85-99 years are six times more likely to be hospitalized for dehydration than those aged 65-69 years.  Chronic dehydration is common in seniors due to several factors: The medications they may be taking or their limited mobility – they may not be able to get up to get a glass of water easily. And, did you know that as we age our sense of thirst diminishes? Yes, it is true. So, once you take these factors into consideration and then add hot weather to the mix, your elderly loved one can quickly become dehydrated. 

You may be asking yourself, “How do I know whether my elder is dehydrated?”  Here are some symptoms to look for:

1.      Confusion

2.      Feeling dizzy or light headed

3.      Having problems walking, being confused or falling

4.      Unusual drowsiness

5.      Labored speech

6.      A decrease in skin turgor or “tenting.”  You can do this by gently pulling up the skin on the back of the hand for a few seconds; if it does not return to normal within a few seconds, the person is dehydrated

The goal is to make sure that your elder does not get to the point of dehydration, so here are some tips to help keep them hydrated and out of the Emergency Room:

·         Water is only good for running under bridges! Some seniors believe that water is only good for running under bridges.  This may be because they are not avid water drinkers in the first place. Be creative in encouraging them to drink water.  One idea is to set a cup of water next to them, so it is easily available. Also make sure that they take frequent small sips rather than gulping it down all at once.

·         Fruits and vegetables also contain water.  Did you know that fruits and vegetables contain over 75% water? So, make sure they get a few servings a day, especially during the hot summertime months.  And, who doesn’t like a cool, tasty bowl of fruit during the summer?

·         Water is not your only friend. While water is the best way to keep dehydration at bay, they can also drink other liquids such as fruit juices or sports drinks to stay hydrated.  Sometimes it is essential to add some “sparkle” to their water – and their day!

·         Avoid salt.  Yes, you guessed it; salt can accelerate dehydration, so it is best to avoid it as much as possible.

·         Avoid caffeine, sodas and alcoholic drinks.  Coffee, sodas, beer, wine and all alcoholic drinks cause dehydration. If a senior loved one enjoys a drink or two, it is best to either include a glass of water with them or avoid them altogether, if possible.

Keeping your senior safe is vitally important, and a big part of this safety is making sure that they stay hydrated, especially during the warm, summertime months.  Staying hydrated is essential to good health and to staying out of the Emergency Room. Also, make sure you are aware of the symptoms of dehydration to quickly be ready to take action if you suspect it.

In the meantime, stay hydrated and enjoy your summer!