A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that dehydration is associated with an increased risk of falls and hospitalizations among older adults.

This is certainly something we at Assisting Hands have seen anecdotally with our clients.  Dehydration can be difficult to spot because its symptoms in seniors mimic those of other conditions.  It has caused a significant number of our clients’ emergency room visits but isn’t difficult to prevent.  Signs to watch for include confusion, dizziness, and unusual bowel movements.

Many seniors, especially those with dementia, often forget to drink regularly.  As we anticipate a heat wave in North Metro Denver this weekend, please keep an eye on your loved ones and encourage frequent, small sips of water rather than occasional large amounts.  Other things that can help prevent dehydration include eating hydrating snacks like watermelon or gelatin.

At Assisting Hands, we educate our staff on the importance of hydration and how to recognize the signs of dehydration.  We frequently incorporate hydration into our custom care plans, and many of our caregivers have had success in encouraging our clients to stay hydrated.  It provides great peace of mind for client families to have eyes and ears in the home, monitoring health and wellbeing.