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-- Programs and Services -- Contact Information If there is any magic on this Earth, it is contained in
each drop of water, and it is with this magic that every living thing is
endowed. Anon.
Summer is here, and to help you enjoy its beauty, drink enough water and don’t get overheated.
Dehydration
Senior citizens are at increased risk of dehydration, due to conditions associated with aging. Dehydration occurs when one is not getting enough fluids. Nursing homes, for example, are required to provide a clean pitcher of cold water at the bedside of every resident. Several things can go wrong: the fluid is not provided or the resident cannot or does not drink it or needs assistance to do so. If an older person does not receive enough fluids, dehydration can result. Infection, confusion, and/or bedsores also follow.
Many senior citizens do not drink enough water every day. Due to the normal aging process, many senior citizens have a diminished thirst sensation, and cannot tell when they are thirsty.
People who have medical conditions such as incontinence or difficulty urinating may drink less water as a means of avoiding having to use the bathroom. This is not healthy!
Many medications must be dissolved in water. If a person does not drink enough water, the amount of medication in their body can actually increase. This results in medication side effects.
People who do NOT drink enough water may suffer from:
Confusion
Constipation
Muscle weakness
Dirty mouth
Muscle cramps
Increased heart rate
Increased risk for kidney stones
Dry skin
Dizziness (especially when moving from lying or sitting to a standing position)
Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting
Headache
Light-headedness
Sleepiness
Thirst
Facts
Diuretics (“water pills”) do NOT cause the water you drink to be immediately lost. That is, the water you drink goes into your blood stream in order to maintain the correct amount of blood in your body. Diuretics, on the other hand, cause water to be eliminated from parts of the body where water is not normally found in large amounts such as the ankles and legs (edema).
Beverages that contain caffeine are NOT good sources of water! Caffeine causes the body to lose water. Certain brands of soda, coffee, and tea contain caffeine. If you enjoy drinking these beverages, considering trying a decaffeinated brand.
Senior citizens should consume 1˝ to 2 quarts of noncaffeinated fluid each day. This equals about 6 to 8 eight-ounce glasses of water.
Try one of these tips:
• Every
morning fill up containers that will hold a total of 2 quarts of water. Drink
water
throughout the day so that the containers are empty by
evening.
• Keep a tally sheet on your refrigerator or bulletin board. Each time you
drink a glass of
water, mark it down on the daily tally sheet.
• Drink water at the same time each day.
To avoid dehydration and to prevent heat illness:
• Drink
plenty of water. “Pre-hydrate” – drink 6 to 8 ounces of water every 20 to 30
minutes,
starting several hours to one day prior to working in the heat.
• Avoid excesses of salt, sugar and caffeine.
• Be aware alcohol can have a dehydrating effect for several days after the
alcohol itself
leaves the system. Drink two glasses of water for every
serving of alcohol.
• Some medications can affect the body’s ability to handle heat including
antihistamines,
allergy medications, and some anti-hypertension medications.
• When working in the heat, take frequent breaks in a cool area.
• Stay inside on very hot days, but if you don’t have air conditioning, visit
the library, a
movie, or your senior center.
This article was drawn from Elder Care of Wisconsin and the website, seniors-site.