Dehydration occurs when the body’s water output exceeds the water intake.

The human body needs water for a variety of reasons: water helps regulate temperature through sweating, carries nutrients to cells, lubricates and cushions joints, and eliminates bodily waste. This means that becoming dehydrated can have a negative impact on the *BODY*. For the elderly, the risks are even higher.

Dehydration in Older Adults can be a common issue due to several factors. First, as we age, our sense of thirst decreases, making us less likely to notice we should be drinking. An elderly person may simply not have that dry mouth sensation or a natural thirst response.

Also, due to mobility issues, seniors may feel that it’s too much effort to get up throughout the day and get something to drink. Combine that with the effort it takes to use the restroom, and you can see why the elderly may avoid drinking, even if they do feel thirsty.

Elderly dehydration can also be caused by incontinence issues, illnesses that involve vomiting or diarrhea, and medications. Many medications act as a diuretic, causing the senior to sweat more and lose more water throughout the day.

Having established this, the question is what are the signs of dehydration in Elderly and how can we prevent dehydration.

Some of the signs of dehydration in the elderly to watch for include:

• More noticeable mobility issues, like difficulty walking, dizziness, confusion or frequent headaches.
• Dry, sticky mouth or nose.
• Low blood pressure and rapid heart rate.
• Decreased urine output or constipation.
• Dry skin and sunken eyes
• Low tear or sweat production.
• Less skin elasticity- this can be a bit more difficult to notice in an elderly person, so a good way to check is to lightly pinch the skin on the back of the hand; if it doesn’t bounce back right away, it’s a good sign of dehydration.

 **To be continued** 

#RCEC #learningabouthowtopreventdehydration#elderlycare #elderlycareadvocate #Rehobothcarecenterfortheelderly

Aging begins at the conception stage of life . It is a process of becoming older. This process brings about changes physically, socially, emotionally and mentally.

Mental health is about the way you think, feel and act. Your ability to deal with the ups and downs life throws at you is linked to your mental health.

So as you age, maintaining physical health has often been our main focus, but your mental health plays a key role in your overall well-being.

Many a times your inner well-being determines the outward behavior.

Having a sound mental health, Helps you :

– Cope with overwhelming life situations.

-Make the most of your aging.

-Fit in fully with family, friends and community.

Be sure to speak with someone if you are feeling overwhelmed.

Protect your mental health always.

#RCEC#elderlycare#elderlycareadvocate#healthyagingtips#agingandmentalhealth

Happy 2022 my Elders and Senior citizens

I am so pumped to welcome you into 2022!

As we step into the New Year I am sure you’ve been bombarded with information on making the year’s resolutions, setting goals and taking actions.

Let me share with you some Elderly healthy and easy to keep tips.

1. Be sure to exercises daily.  This will help with the challenges of balance and strength on the legs, prevention of falls. Poor balance and strength are the common cause of falls among the elderly. So maintaining regular exercise is a must in 2022.

2. Don’t take medications indiscriminately. Don’t abuse medication. If you feel unwell talk with a professional. Take only prescribe medication. You need to protect your brain, heart, liver and other vital organs of your body. We are here to help you better understand your treatment and health conditions. Talk with us.

3. Be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (including a booster) if you are yet to be vaccinated, and take additional precaution. Wear masks, washing your hands regularly, be cautious about indoor gatherings, and follow public health directives to reduce transmission and exposure. COVID is very risky for the elderly.

4. Start regular health check-up. At least visit bi— monthly. Only a healthy person is a happy person. Be well informed about your health. When you are with the health professionals, ask questions. Be interested in having your personal health records. This will help in events of any emergencies, a second opinion, or a change in doctors.

5. Eat smart healthy foods. Eat foods in season. Incorporate vegetables in all your diet to aid easy digestion. Include nuts (for those without allergies), use heart friendly oils. Remember you are what you eat.

6. Socialize (safely!), contribute and nourish your soul. Studies have confirmed: relationships and contributing to the world are key to maintaining well-being while aging. Connecting with people is life in its self; even the humble telephone can be a powerful tool for keeping in touch.

This year 2022 important to keep engaging in those activities that will nourish your soul.  Consider ways to contribute, Volunteer and connect with other people. Join our activities this year they promise to be fun.

7. Keep your hygiene level on top notch. Self-care keeps you far from the health care professionals. Bath regularly, use moisturizing cream, brush twice a day, ensure you hair is well cut or plated. Remember the way you dress or appear is the way you will be addressed.

#healthyagingtips#elderlycareadvocate#elderlycarenurse #caregiver#caringnurse #Rehobothcarecenterfortheelderly

Do not fall for the myth that growing older automatically means you are not going to feel good anymore. It is true that aging involves physical changes but it does not have to mean discomfort and disability. While not all illnesses or pain is avoidable, many of the physical challenges associated with aging can be overcome or reduced by exercising, eating right and taking care of yourself.

PLEASE NOTE THAT IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO START!

No matter how old you are or how unhealthy you have been in the past, caring for your body has tons of benefits that will help you stay active, sharpen your memory, boost your immune system, manage health problems and increase your energy. In fact, adults who take up exercising later in life, often show greater physical and mental improvements than their younger counterparts.

These are some tips to keep you active and boost your vitality:

Exercise:
A recent study found that exercise is the topmost contributor to longevity, adding extra years to your life even if you do not start exercising until your senior years. Exercise helps you maintain your strength and agility, increases vitality, improves sleep, gives your mental health a boost and can even help diminish chronic pain. Exercise also has a profound effect on the brain, helping to prevent memory loss, cognitive decline, and other conditions.

Before your beginning exercising as senior citizens/elderly person:

1. Check with your doctor before starting any exercise program.
2. Find out if there are any health conditions or medications you take that may affect the type of exercise you should choose.
3. Find an activity that motivates you to continue. You may want to exercise with groups like in a sport class.
4. Start slowly. If you are new to exercising, a few minutes a day puts you well on the way towards building a healthy habit. Slowly increase the time and intensity to avoid injury.
5. Walking is a wonderful way to start exercising. It does not require any equipment or experience and you can do it anywhere.