How To Make Sure Your Elderly Parent Is Staying Hydrated – Houston In Home Care
When families sign-up for in-home care, Houston providers such as CareWorks often find that elderly patients are not drinking enough water. One of the first questions asked during the initial assessment is how much water the patient is consuming. In most cases, the children or family members don’t know how much their parent is drinking. Water makes up nearly 3/4 of the human body. Adequate hydration is absolutely essential for proper brain function. It also helps support countless functions in the body. Even mild dehydration can have a negative impact on a patient’s ability to function, both physically and mentally.
Oftentimes, elderly patients think that they are drinking enough water when they really aren’t meeting their daily water requirements. For instance, they may be drinking several glasses of water a day, thinking that it is enough. However, if the glasses are too small, they still may not be getting enough water. It is more important to focus on the total number of ounces that are consumed rather than on the number of glasses.
Daily Water Requirements For Successful Houston Elder Care
One common statistic that you will hear over and over again is that you should drink eight glasses of water a day. In fact, however, that isn’t always true. The amount of water that you require can vary, depending on your age, activity level, and environmental conditions, among other factors. Ideally, you should talk to your doctor about your water intake to get personalized advice on how much you should consume.
The Advantages Of Staying Hydrated
Adequate hydration can benefit the body in the following ways:
- Water helps flush away toxins
- When your body is hydrated, it is easier for it to absorb nutrients, resulting in better digestion
- Drinking enough water helps support the circulatory system
- The kidneys and urinary tract can both benefit from getting plenty of water
- Dehydration, resulting from insufficient water intake, may cause confusion and the loss of short-term memory
For more on senior care in Houston, please feel free to visit our blog, give us a call, or contact us here.
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