Dealing with dehydration in later life

Your body needs a lot of water to function well. It lubricates the joints and eyes, flushes out toxins and waste, aids digestion and keeps the skin healthy. As you age, your sensitivity to thirst changes and your body doesn’t demand as much water as in your younger years. Problems with dehydration may occur as a result of not drinking enough, as your body still needs fluids to function.

What makes older adults more likely to get dehydrated?

Older adults are at a greater risk of loss of fluids as a result of the bodily composition changes that happen with age. Those 65 and older typically have less water in their bodies than younger adults or children. Decreases in fluids can also be affected by reduced kidney function. Anne Vanderbilt, CNS of the Cleveland Clinic states that due to the lessened thirst that comes with age, when an older adult thirsts, it’s already a sign of early dehydration.

Not getting enough water can have serious health consequences, as water is needed for most bodily processes. Among those 65 and over, dehydration is a common reason of hospitalisation. This is because the signs are easily missed or attributed to other medical conditions or aging.

Signs and symptoms of dehydration in later life

The effects which dehydration can have on you are not only physical, but also mental and emotional. The blood vessels in your entire body get smaller due to your diminishing fluids.

Physical signs of dehydration are tiredness, dizziness, dry mouth, headache, muscle cramps, chills, feeling cold or too hot, and your skin might look red. Dehydration also manifests by confusion or anxiety, which worsens in cases with a diagnosis of dementia. Continuous dehydration can cause more severe symptoms which can lead to hospitalisation.

How to prevent dehydration?

To prevent dehydration, try to drink 6 – 8 cups of liquid each day. That is a normal cup or glass. Every drink counts, hot or cold! You can even make a chart or a diary to help you remember. When you take medication, drink a full glass of water with it. Keep a water bottle with you and sip it continuously throughout the day. Eat foods that are high in fluids, such as ice lollies, jelly, creamy sauces, custard and extra milk. If you don’t want to wake up at night to go to the bathroom, avoid drinking alcohol or coffee close to bedtime. Instead, drink more water earlier in the day.

If you are worried about getting to the toilet on time as a result of drinking, you’re not alone. It is important to talk to your doctor or a pharmacist about this. Age UK also offers a free ‘toilet card’ that can help you to use the toilet without saying too much.

How can Cavendish Homecare help?

At Cavendish Homecare, we provide private homecare for people who need additional support in their own home. If you are looking for homecare services, contact us or email us at info@cavendishhomecare.com.

Our team of nurses and carers is equipped to provide comprehensive person centred care to clients based in London and the home counties, including Kensington and Chelsea, Harrow, Twickenham, Westminster, Camden, and Surrey. We remain flexible to accommodate care requests in other areas, contingent upon available accommodation provisions.