Warmer weather (and central heating in winter) can increase the risk of elderly and vulnerable people suffering various health issues as a result of dehydration. This includes poor mood, concentration and general lethargy.
Individuals who already have reduced cognitive abilities (especially those with dementia) can find their symptoms get worse. They may also be the people most likely to fail to drink enough liquid, and they may not tell anyone that they're experiencing significant early symptoms such as a dry mouth and headache.
Our brains are 85% water, and to support the multitude of complex tasks our brains carry out it is vital to stay properly hydrated. One study found that a 1% level of dehydration can lead to a 5% decrease in cognitive function.
It is easy to see then, why severe and prolonged dehydration can cause biological changes to the brain, that create memory loss, depression, sleep issues and inability to focus. A US Alzheimer’s organisation spelt out the risk by saying that when the elderly don’t consume enough liquids, the “prolonged cellular stress of dehydration may promote brain pathology and continued cognitive decline.”
Of course, finding ways to keep fragile or older people hydrated can be a challenge. They may even resist efforts to get them to sip water regularly.
Alternatively, you personally may have a reduced sense of being thirsty, as you get older.
That calls for creative ways to hydrate an older person, especially anyone with dementia.
Before we get to those ideas, it’s worth a quick look at some of the other reasons you need to make sure that you, a loved one or someone you care for. gets enough liquids.
The risks you need to avoid
It would be easy to assume that less exercise, means less need to hydrate regularly. In fact, the body’s ability to store liquid reduces as we get older, due to changes in the muscle-to-fat ratio. So, less exercise can increase the need to keep taking on liquids.
Our digestive system and metabolism change as we age too. This includes developing difficulties in how we absorb essential nutrients from food, and then turn those vitamins, minerals and trace elements into a usable form. Keeping our body hydrated helps support proper nutrient absorption and utilisation.
Our kidneys also deteriorate as we get older, and proper renal function depends on the liquids we consume. Your kidneys will be even less likely to filter properly, and remove toxins and waste efficiently if you become dehydrated.
Poor levels of hydration can also lead to low blood pressure, dizziness and more risk of falling. It is also a situation that can make pressure sores and other skin conditions worse and increase the risk of infections.
What is the target for how much liquid older people should consume?
The official NHS recommendation is for 6-8 glasses of water per day. However, some medical journals recommend that women consume 2 to 2.7 litres of fluid a day (which is around 10 cups) and men aim for 2.5 to 3.7 litres (up to 15 cups).
Do cups of tea and other hot beverages count? Yes, they do, but clearly, drinks packed with sugar and artificial sweeteners and preservatives are counterproductive as they can stimulate thirst. They also carry their own health risks.
Now, let’s explore other, more creative ways to hydrate as we get older, particularly ways to encourage people with dementia to consume enough liquid.
Foods that help with hydration
Introducing certain foods into a daily diet can contribute a significant amount of water. This includes melon (watermelon is obviously ideal), oranges, peaches and berries, but also salad vegetables such as lettuce, cucumber, and tomato. Cucumber is 96% water!
If there is a lack of interest in water-rich fruit and vegetables on a plate, a smoothy or milkshake can seem far more appealing, and a lot more interesting than water.
Eating things like porridge, yoghurts, jellies and of course soup can also help elderly and vulnerable people to reach their target for liquids.
Keep in mind that some foods have the opposite effect and increase dehydration. This includes coffee, alcohol, salty or sugary items and processed or ultra-processed foods such as ham, bacon and commonly used tomato sauce and salad cream.
Products that aid hydration
There are all sorts of sports drinks and hydration products people use in conjunction with exercise, to boost water intake and retention, and also deliver vital electrolytes. It may be worth trying these as an option for elderly people too.
However, the best product available to help keep elderly people hydrated is Jelly Drops. These were invented specifically to meet the needs of people with dementia, but are ideal for anyone who needs to increase their fluid intake.
Jelly Drops look and taste like sweet treats and are often eaten with great enthusiasm. However, they are sugar-free, and a whopping 95% water. They are also packed with electrolytes, which support good health.
Ice cubes created with the addition of mint, lemon, cucumber and watermelon to flavour them can seem like a treat too.
Equipment to help with hydration
There can be some resistance to the principle of a lidded ‘sippy cup’ to take liquids, even if it is a practical solution for an elderly person with Parkinson’s Disease, for example.
Placing a series of rubber bands around a favourite cold drinks cup can make it easier to hold if someone has issues with grip, and fun reusable drinking straws can also make it a more enjoyable and less frustrating process.
However, keep in mind when encouraging someone to drink, that there is no reason to provide a plain, rather clinical drink container. There are many fabulous no-spill drinking containers that are colourful, fun and eye-catching.
Follow this affiliate link for some great examples of easy-to-hold, no spill and very appealing drinks bottles. They may be marketed for children, but why shouldn’t older people have an attractive and amusing drinking system?
In fact, someone with dementia may be motivated to self-manage drinking more, if they get a container that catches their eye and appeals to their particular interests, preferences or sense of humour!
Make drinking fun
Even simple touches can help, such as funky, fun drinking cups, and the addition of sliced fruits, a paper straw and ice cubes (as long as they don’t present a choking hazard).
Constantly changing flavours of fruit-infused water in a lovely container, can keep the process of drinking a daily adventure.
Serving ice lollies as a ‘treat’ in warmer months is an excellent way to encourage hydration, especially if they are homemade on a similar principle to the ice cubes mentioned above. You can use fruit juices, or mix in interesting flavours such as chopped strawberries and blueberries, as long as the person can swallow easily.
On colder days, it's amazing how a warm chocolate drink or a tasty broth can seem appealing.
In fact, constantly varying the temperature and texture of drinks can keep it more interesting, and help you find an option that is willingly consumed.
Make taking in liquids a social thing
Finally, throughout our life, drinking can be connected to a social ritual in many ways. For example, visits to the pub, a pot of tea with friends, and making sure all your visitors get a drink and snack when they call round.
One of the best ways to encourage an elderly person to drink sufficient amounts of liquids is to tap into that principle. Also, drinking with others can make it seem less of a chore.
For instance, rather than standing over someone encouraging them to drink, sit with them and have a beverage yourself too.
You could invite visitors to have a drink, which may encourage your loved one or resident to join in. In care situations, staff taking a tea break sat with residents.
There are other ways to make taking in liquids more of a social pleasure too, such as organising bingo nights and entertainment that feature non-alcoholic ‘beer’ and other beverages.
Of course, having a fresh drink within easy reach at all times is important, and it’s amazing how people ‘mirror others’ when engrossed in a conversation or TV show.
Sources of information in this article include: