Keeping Seniors Hydrated
By Suzanne Braaten, AHI RN Consultant
Dehydration can lead to many health issues varying from mild to life-threatening complications. According to the National Council on Aging, seniors are more at risk for dehydration due to body composition changes, diminished sense of thirst and appetite, taking certain medications and changes related to body temperature regulation. With the warm summer weather, it is imperative that we all help our seniors stay hydrated as much as possible to reduce their risk for becoming dehydrated.
Dehydration can easily be spotted by monitoring changes in urine color. The darker the urine color, the more at risk for complications a person is. With older adults, there may be other warning signs that can easily be missed, such as tiredness, irritability, headaches, or cognition changes. Urinary tract infections are frequently seen in seniors and commonly blamed for by urinary incontinence but may actually be the result of not consuming enough fluids. Falls are another indication that a senior may need to increase fluid intake since dehydration can reduce coordination and increase weakness.
Here are some fun and easy ways to encourage increased fluid intake in seniors:
Offer foods such as lettuce, celery, watermelon, soups, berries, tomatoes that are all great summer foods that seniors love. Have soup and salad options daily with lunch and dinner. Serve fluids first with every meal.
Educate staff that provide medication passes to offer a full glass of water each time they are giving medications.
Have water easily accessible and inviting at various areas of the facility. Plain water can be very dull and unenticing so try adding different fruits or vegetables to change the flavor periodically such as cucumbers, lemons, oranges, berries, etc.
Educate residents that alcohol is a diuretic and can cause dehydration. Other options are serving non-alcoholic drinks.
Some older adults benefit from nutritional supplements which can also go toward daily fluid intake.
Offer reusable water bottles that have water goals listed on them.
Get families involved! Encourage family members to provide reminders to drink fluids when they visit or even when they are on the phone with their loved one. Provide them details on the importance of hydration in older adults.
Activities:
Provide beverages at all activities. Coffee and tea can have dehydration effects as well, so try offering flavored or carbonated water or low sugar sports drinks.
For activities outdoors, ensure residents have easy to reach beverages with them and provide reminders regularly to drink their beverage.
Offer cold snacks like popsicles, fresh fruit, gelatin desserts, or flavored ice.
Create a competition or water consumption goals and assist residents in tracking their fluid consumption for a “prize” over a certain number of days.
Dehydration can be debilitating to our seniors. Do you have any other creative ways to encourage seniors to drink more fluids? By starting with just a few simple changes in how fluids are offered and encouraged with seniors, you can help them continue to live a more hydrated and healthier life.
Source
National Council on Aging. (2021). Hydration for Older Adults. How to Stay Hydrated for Better Health. https://www.ncoa.org/article/how-to-stay-hydrated-for-better-health