It is crucially important that seniors over the age of 65 drink lots of water. This is because avoiding dehydration will help prevent major health issues and hospitalization, as dehydration commonly causes seniors to end up in the hospital. Also, being properly hydrated is important for allowing medications to work properly and keep them from overheating during hot weather.

Seniors should stay hydrated because they are more prone to fluid and electrolyte imbalances. Their muscle mass and kidney function also decline with age, lessening their ability to conserve water. Therefore, it may be more difficult to adapt to changing temperatures. Finally, their sense of thirst slows with age so they may not feel as thirsty as they should.  By the time the senior feels thirsty, their essential fluids may be very low.

Why do seniors refuse to drink water?

There are various medical conditions that may prevent seniors from drinking fluids. In dementia patients, it is common to see them forgetting to eat or drink, and they may experience difficulty swallowing, making it difficult to get the needed fluids. Some drugs, such as diuretics, antihistamines, antipsychotics, and corticosteroids, can cause frequent urination, which can remove water and electrolytes from the body. Some seniors who are suffering from incontinence may limit their fluid intake so they do not have accidents. Finally, some seniors may not enjoy drinking fluids and may refuse to do so for those reasons.

Caretakers of older adults should make sure to watch out for signs of dehydration in seniors, as it is important to recognize and prevent it early before it happens. Some signs of dehydration include constipation, headaches, muscle cramps, dry mouth, and sleepiness or lethargy. You can also check urine color, which should be clear or yellow, if they are properly hydrated. In severe cases, dehydration can cause seizures, kidney failure, heat injuries, and even coma or death.

 

Signs of severe dehydration include the following:

• Very little or no urination
• Dark urine
• Dry skin
• Irritability, dizziness, or confusion
• Low blood pressure
• Rapid breathing and heartbeat & weak pulse
• Cold hands and feet

How much water should seniors drink?

Seniors should aim to drink at least 64 ounces of fluids per day. However, that amount will depend on heat, humidity, medications they may be taking, and their overall health. The fluid they consume does not have to come from water specifically. It can come from fruits and vegetables, and if you get creative, it can come from smoothies, hot broth, and even milkshakes.

It may be tough to get seniors to drink water if they are not used to it, but there are some ways to get your elderly loved ones to drink more water. However, before trying new ways to get your loved one to drink more water, consider their habits, personality, and health conditions. Keep getting creative with different ideas until you see what will work for them. It is also very important to check with their doctor if you have questions about these techniques and their effect on their health.

We don’t always have to focus on only water. Coffee, tea, juices, fruits, and vegetables all have water. If there is a major issue with dehydration with your senior loved one and they refuse to drink water, you may have to resort to more sugary liquids to get them to consume fluids. Always check with their doctors to make sure it is ok for them to consume these types of drinks.

You can also serve more foods with high water content to help with hydration. Some vegetables that contain a high amount of water include cucumbers, lettuce, celery, Chinese cabbage, radishes, watercress, zucchini, squash, tomatoes, bell peppers, asparagus, portobello mushrooms, swiss chard, cabbage, cauliflower, and turnips. You can also focus on fruit that is high in water which includes: grapefruit, watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, lemons, peaches, Asian pears, blackberries, papayas, nectarines, prickly pears, pineapples, plums, and oranges.

Here are some tips on keeping your senior loved ones hydrated:

1. Keep water close by so they can serve themselves:

This may help them consume more water. An easy way to do this is to keep a lightweight pitcher of water and a cup by their favorite seat so they can take a drink easily and quickly.

2. Try different drinks with different temperatures:

Consuming more fluid may be dependent on which temperature your senior prefers to have their drink. Experiment with hot, cold, or warm fluids and see what works best. You could try to warm up juice or make decaf coffee with cream or add soda water to make a drink bubbly such as tea or juice.

3. Experiment with savory:

If your senior loved one likes to have savory foods, they may like to drink hot soup broth instead of sweet beverages. The broth comes in cans, boxes, or powdered. They may be a great option during cold weather. If the senior must make sure they do not consume too much sodium, get only low-sodium broth or make it homemade.

4. Homemade popsicles:

Making homemade popsicles is a great option for getting your senior loved one to consume liquid. You can make them from fruit juice or a mix of juice and water. This is also a great option for a treat.

5. Smoothies and other thicker drinks:

Some seniors may not like to drink fluids and may refuse to do so. If this is the case, a great option you can offer them is smoothies, milkshakes, Ensure, and even sports drinks. These are not the healthiest options, however, if they are willing to drink them regularly because they like the taste or texture, then go with this option to keep them hydrated. Always check with their doctor to ensure they can consume these drinks.

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