Caring For Elders - Top Ten Signs of Dehydration
Older people tend to store less water - but higher levels of fat - in their bodies than when they were younger.
This leads to a situation where they simply aren't as thirsty as they used to be.
As the years pass, thirst becomes less and less.
Taking in too little fluid, in conjunction with medication side effects and illness greatly increases their risk of becoming dehydrated.
Needless to day, water is critical for moving food through the digestive tract, as well as preventing constipation.
Water also plays a significant role in determining body temperature as well as sodium and other elements in the bloodstream.
Organs run at peak efficiency when a body is hydrated and any toxins that may be in the body are more apt to be flushed from the body.
May elderly folks enjoy both tea and coffee.
Sure, this keeps them hydrated, they are also diuretics which cause more frequent urination.
If your elder is taking less than 6 to 8 cups of non caffeinated liquid a day, they are prime candidates for dehydration.
Many times, the symptoms of dehydration are assumed to be a normal part of aging or an illness an elder may have.
The top 10 signs that your elder may be dehydrated are: 1.
Headache 2.
Dry Mouth 3.
Cracked Lips 4.
Dry Skin 5.
Sunken Eyes 6.
Nausea 7.
Vomiting 8.
Diarrhea 9.
Weight Loss 10.
Confusion Understand that simply waiting for your elder to ask you for a drink of water isn't enough.
Many older folks will limit themselves to small amounts of liquid because they are afraid that they may wet themselves.
This makes the whole dehydration potential much higher.
You've got to keep their favorite beverage within reach of their chair, bed, couch or wherever at all times.
Don't ask if they want a drink - pour it and offer it to them.
Telling them there "here's a nice glass of ice cold lemonade" in the summer is a lot than a simple "do you want a drink"? Be sure to provide them a straw as well - and make it a bendy one if they are bed bound.
This leads to a situation where they simply aren't as thirsty as they used to be.
As the years pass, thirst becomes less and less.
Taking in too little fluid, in conjunction with medication side effects and illness greatly increases their risk of becoming dehydrated.
Needless to day, water is critical for moving food through the digestive tract, as well as preventing constipation.
Water also plays a significant role in determining body temperature as well as sodium and other elements in the bloodstream.
Organs run at peak efficiency when a body is hydrated and any toxins that may be in the body are more apt to be flushed from the body.
May elderly folks enjoy both tea and coffee.
Sure, this keeps them hydrated, they are also diuretics which cause more frequent urination.
If your elder is taking less than 6 to 8 cups of non caffeinated liquid a day, they are prime candidates for dehydration.
Many times, the symptoms of dehydration are assumed to be a normal part of aging or an illness an elder may have.
The top 10 signs that your elder may be dehydrated are: 1.
Headache 2.
Dry Mouth 3.
Cracked Lips 4.
Dry Skin 5.
Sunken Eyes 6.
Nausea 7.
Vomiting 8.
Diarrhea 9.
Weight Loss 10.
Confusion Understand that simply waiting for your elder to ask you for a drink of water isn't enough.
Many older folks will limit themselves to small amounts of liquid because they are afraid that they may wet themselves.
This makes the whole dehydration potential much higher.
You've got to keep their favorite beverage within reach of their chair, bed, couch or wherever at all times.
Don't ask if they want a drink - pour it and offer it to them.
Telling them there "here's a nice glass of ice cold lemonade" in the summer is a lot than a simple "do you want a drink"? Be sure to provide them a straw as well - and make it a bendy one if they are bed bound.
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