There are many challenges in taking care of an elderly person, and one of the most persistent may seem incredibly simple: keeping the patient hydrated. It is not uncommon for the elderly to need constant prodding to intake adequate amounts of fluid. Monitoring their daily intake is essential.
Dehydration can cause a host of ills including heart arrythmias, dizziness,and urinary tract infections. A person weakened by dehydration and its side effects may be more prone to falls, which are always a risk for the aged.
Symptoms of mild dehydration may include tiredness, dry skin, headache, constipation, and dizziness. With a more severe case of dehydration, a patient may be confused, appear to have sunken eyes, have low blood pressure and even rapid heartbeat or a fever. Thirst, or lack thereof, is not an adequate marker for proper hydration.
After caring for elders for a number of years, I’ve come up with a few suggestions to help an elderly charge stay properly hydrated. First, some people with limited movement drink more easily from a straw. If a cup is shallow(such as a coffee cup), you may want to cut the straw shorter to keep it from tipping out of the container.
Make sure that the person can easily hold the cup or glass that they drink from. Some people find a mug with a handle easier to use. Large, wide glasses can be hard to grasp, so thinner glasses usually work better.
Of course, it goes almost without saying that it’s pertinent to find out the elder’s favorite drinks. I had one elder who needed constant prodding until I discovered that he loved hot chocolate. Also make sure that you know exactly how they like their coffee and tea prepared.
Offer a variety of drinks, but make sure that you are aware of a person’s dietary limitations. If an elder is on a low sugar diet, don’t serve them sugar or fructose laden beverages.
Two sneaky ways to beef up hydration are to serve soup along with meals, and encourage a few extra sips of water every time medication is administered.
Sometimes a bit of trial and error is in order. Several years ago I created a makeshift egg nog with no sugar. The basis of the beverage was vanilla sugar-free pudding, with extra milk, sugar free sweeteners, and spices. It came out different every time, but was always tasty for egg nog lovers who couldn’t have a lot of sugar. There are basic recipes on the internet, but using your own taste buds and mixing in the blender usually yield a nog with the best flavor and texture.
There are so many things to consider when tending to an elderly person. Proper hydration may seem low on the list, but it is actually quite essential to good health, especially in older folks.
Sources: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dehydration/DS00561/DSECTION=symptoms
Personal experience