At Senior Helpers Blue Ridge, we understand the importance of proper hydration for seniors. Our in-home senior care professionals are trained to look out for signs and symptoms of dehydration. We aim to properly educate our clients on hydration basics and provide adequate services that ensure they maintain a healthy level of drinking fluids. This article will discuss the benefits of hydration, its risks, and recommended drink options.
Benefits of Proper Hydration for Seniors
Senior individuals may benefit from proper hydration for many reasons. As with any age group, adequate water consumption helps regulate the body's temperature. It also aids the body to perform crucial functions such as flushing bacteria from organs, regulating blood pressure, and transporting essential nutrients throughout the body. Additionally, consuming healthy fluids can help prevent headaches, improve cognition, and reduce soreness after physical activity.
Risks That Come From Dehydration
When individuals, including seniors, do not take enough fluids, it can lead to dehydration. This means there is a lack of necessary electrolytes and water in the blood that may cause fatigue, confusion, irregular heartbeats, or dizziness. Dehydration can also lead to other health complications such as urinary tract infections and kidney issues. These are particularly concerning for senior individuals with weakened immune systems.
Best Hydrating Drink Options
When considering hydrating options, it is best to look for beverages that include electrolytes and have little sugar or other harmful ingredients. Examples of drinks that are suitable for seniors could be water with a twist of lemon juice, seltzer mineral waters, unsweetened herbal teas, or vegetable juices. Of course, the best option overall is to simply drink plain water. It's exactly what the body requires. Unlike other beverages, water does not contain calories, sodium, or sugar.
Try Some Hydrating Foods, Too!
In addition to fluids, consuming foods with a high water content such as soups, fruits, and vegetables helps. Broth-based soups are especially beneficial since they contain all the vitamins necessary for proper hydration. Fruits like apples, watermelon, and strawberries, as well as vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes, or celery also provide other essential nutrients. Because of their high water content, they also increase fluid intake throughout the day.
Tips for Increasing Water Intake
Aside from consuming foods with high water content, there are some additional ways to increase hydration for seniors daily. One way is by adding light flavors to water to improve its taste. A squeeze of lemon or lime juice or some stevia helps. Infusing a pitcher of water in the fridge with fruits, herbs, and spices also works. A combination of apple slices and cinnamon may provide a tasty treat. Some people prefer the flavor provided by berries. Orange slices work well in water for a citrusy drink.
Keeping a bottle of water nearby is also ideal. Attempting to sip small amounts throughout the day rather than a ton at once also helps.
Seek Further Guidance From Senior Helpers Blue Ridge
At Senior Helpers Blue Ridge, our team of in-home senior care professionals is equipped to provide the necessary guidance and support seniors need when it comes to their hydration. Our caregivers can monitor fluid intake for individuals with medical conditions that may be complicating their well-being. We’re happy to help develop an appropriate nutrition plan that follows doctor recommendations. Ultimately, we strive to ensure healthy and optimal hydration levels in all our clients while forming relationships built on trust, compassion, respect, and sincere commitment.
If you or your loved one are considering hiring in-home senior care services near Charlottesville, Winchester, or Warrenton please contact us today!