HOW TO PREVENT DEHYDRATION

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** 

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