Is your senior drinking enough fluids? As we age, our bodies become more vulnerable to dehydration. This can lead to serious health complications and make it harder to maintain an active, independent lifestyle. That's why it's so important for families to help foster healthy hydration habits for their elderly loved ones.
This article is about the importance of hydration for seniors and how whole families can help foster healthy hydration habits. We'll also share some products that make it easier to stay hydrated. With this information, you can help ensure your elderly loved one stays well-hydrated and healthy.
The Benefits of Proper Hydration
Proper hydration can have numerous health benefits. It helps to regulate body temperature, supports heart and brain function, flushes out toxins, and delivers essential nutrients to cells. Hydration also helps keep the eyes and skin moist and supports joint health. As a result, people who stay hydrated are likely to experience increased energy levels, improved mental sharpness, and fewer physical challenges.
Hydration is especially important for seniors who experience less thirst than younger adults. Dehydration can cause a range of health issues including fatigue, confusion, and nausea. It is also associated with a greater risk of injuries resulting from falls.
How Much Should a Person Drink Each Day?
Most experts recommend drinking approximately one-half to one ounce of healthy fluids per pound of body weight each day. This amount may vary depending on the individual's activity level, health condition, and location, as humidity and temperature can affect how much fluids a person needs.
How Whole-Family Hydration Habits Benefit Seniors
Having the whole family involved in building hydration habits can benefit seniors, as it not only helps them stay hydrated but can also make them feel included. They won't resent being singled out and can participate in the camaraderie.
Tips for Families to Build Healthy Hydration Habits
There are a few simple ways families can help foster healthy hydration habits:
- Provide easy access to clean, safe, and good-tasting drinking water. This could mean keeping a pitcher of filtered water in the refrigerator or stocking up on bottles of spring water. Adding slices of lemon, orange, or cucumber can make water taste less bland and more refreshing.
- Include healthy, flavorful drinks on the menu. Water can get boring, even if it's flavored with a slice of citrus, so stock up on milk, juice, and low-sugar, low-sodium sports drinks.
- Provide hydrating snacks. Ideally, about twenty percent of our hydration should come from the food we eat, so have plenty of juicy snacks on hand. Fruits and vegetables with a high water content will help keep your family hydrated. As a bonus, they'll add valuable nutrients to your family's diet.
- Keep track of hydration. It's easy for anyone to forget how many glasses of healthy fluid they've had in a day, so find a means of setting goals and reminders. Read on for some useful tools!
Products That Support Healthy Hydration Habits
There are gadgets on the market that can help with maintaining good hydration habits. Smart water bottles are especially popular, as they allow users to track their water intake and set daily hydration goals. For seniors and young kids who are tech-savvy, there are also a variety of apps that can help monitor hydration habits, and many fitness trackers and smartwatches let you input your water intake. Family members can also rely on timers to remind themselves to drink water throughout the day.
We're Here to Empower Healthy Lifestyles
Senior Helpers Winston Salem Greensboro can help families in Kernersville, Greensboro, Reidsville, and all of Guilford County encourage healthier living habits in their senior loved ones. Contact us if you'd like to learn more about our services!