Cheers to Summer! Cheers to Drinking More Water!

Written on: July 2, 2022

There are so many wonderful things about the summertime: more social activities, holidays, and opportunities to spend your days outdoors. Who doesn’t enjoy a family barbeque, day at the beach, or an afternoon spent in the park? With more sunlight and time outside that also means temperatures will start to rise. As the weather warms, it’s important to make sure you are well hydrated. This goes to for your loved ones too.

According the National Council on Aging, approximately 40% of older adults are at risk of being chronically dehydrated. As we age, our appetites and levels of thirst decrease. This doesn’t necessarily mean that we need less food or fluids; our brain is just not longer sending those signals telling us to eat and drink.  So, what signs of dehydration should you be looking out for and what can you do about it?

Signs of Dehydration:

• Dark colored urine or urinating less frequently. As caregivers, we become very aware of our loved one’s bathroom routines and habits. If you notice that your loved one is having less output it may be time to encourage more fluids

• Increased fatigue and/or muscle cramps and weakness. Depending upon what disease your loved one is diagnosed with, this may be hard to identify and figure out. Trust your gut if you see or feel that something is off.

• Complaints of dizziness, dry mouth, and more frequent headaches

How can you incorporate more fluids into your loved one’s day?

Of course, drinking more water is the best way to stay hydrated. Sometimes though, this can be challenging because let’s face it…water is pretty bland tasting. Why not try adding some flavor? Fresh fruits or vegetables like cucumber make for a refreshing addition. You can also find flavored powders to mix in. Eating fruits and vegetables can also help increase hydration.

If your loved one has difficulty remembering to drink, I would also suggest designating specific glasses or water bottles for them. This way, they become familiar with which water cup belongs to them. You may also want to offer smaller amounts of fluids more frequently throughout the day. Sometimes a large glass of water is too much to look at and attempt to drink. Smaller glasses are perceived as more manageable.

There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to getting encouraging your loved one to drink more. It may take a few different strategies for it to work. Keep trying and stay cool this summer.