Staying hydrated isn't something most people will consistently remember to do. For seniors, it can be even harder. As the family caregivers of our senior relatives, it’s crucial to be aware of their daily fluid consumption.
Let's look at the importance of hydration for seniors and learn some helpful tips and tools to help them stay hydrated day-to-day.
Why Hydration is Important for Seniors
Ideal fluid intake helps seniors regulate their body temperatures. It also helps the kidneys function properly and flushes out waste materials. Staying hydrated can improve a senior's mental clarity, concentration, and memory, reducing the risk of accidents and increasing their self-confidence and independence.
How Much Should Seniors Drink Each Day?
According to the National Council on Aging, seniors tend to get dehydrated more quickly than younger people, as they typically have smaller appetites and lower thirst levels. They recommend the following formula for determining how much water a senior should drink:
Take one-third of their body weight and have them drink that number of ounces in fluids. For example, if the senior weighs 150 pounds, encourage them to drink 50 ounces of water each day.
Tips for Helping Senior Relatives Stay Hydrated Day-to-Day
How can you get your senior to stay hydrated without constantly nagging at them? Here are some ideas that Senior Helper clients have found useful:
- Serve healthy drinks at meals:
Help them develop a habit by encouraging them to drink a glass of water with each meal. You can also offer healthy beverages like low-sugar electrolyte drinks or smoothies to increase their fluid intake. In addition, offer healthy snacks with a high water content.
- Keep track of fluid intake
Monitor the senior's fluid intake to ensure they are drinking enough daily and are not drinking too much. Experiment by creating a routine for drinking water, and use one of the tools mentioned below to keep a tally of the ounces they drink.
- Enhance the water flavor
For added flavor, you can add slices of lemon, lime, or orange to the glass. If your tap water has a bad taste, get a quality filter or purchase filtered water—no amount of flavorings or sports drink mix can cover up stinky, unpleasant water!
- Make hydration easy
Leave cups or bottles of water around the house, and stock up the fridge with healthy beverages. This can help make it easier for your senior to access hydrating liquids when needed.
Tools for Helping Senior Relatives Stay Hydrated
- There's an app for that
Another helpful tool is a water-tracking app. This can monitor how much seniors are drinking daily and provide tips on staying hydrated. Many fitness-tracking watches have associated apps to monitor water intake.
- Get a smart water bottle
Smart water bottles can alert your senior to drink at preferred times and help them keep up with their hydration goals.
- Set timers
It may be "old-school", but a kitchen timer or wristwatch that goes off every hour can remind a senior to drink (or finish) their six-to-eight-ounce daily beverage intake.
Thirsty for Help Keeping Your Senior Healthy?
An essential part of senior health and well-being is to stay hydrated day-to-day. In-home care providers have the know-how to keep their clients on track. Do you want to learn more about our services in Kernersville, Greensboro, Reidsville, and Guilford County? Contact us at Senior Helpers Winston Salem Greensboro for more information.