How to Get Seniors to Drink More Liquids (Water in Disguise!)

By Anna Hazard

Introduction

Proper hydration when it comes to the elderly is always an important consideration due to the many factors that tend to put seniors at greater risk of dehydration. Such elements to keep in mind include...

• The natural decline of body water content as people age (up to a 50% decrease from youth)
  
• The body's degrading ability to regulate fluid balance and compensate for shifts in temperature or humidity
• The greater probability of underlying health conditions & medications used in treatments exacerbating dehydration
• Limited mobility in avoiding the heat or fetching more liquids
• Ongoing conditions that may hinder a senior's ability to recognize their own dehydration & ability to sense their own thirst
• Purposefully abstaining from drinking due to the fear of incontinence

Signs & Symptoms

Dehydration (when a body loses more water than it takes in) can lead to such complication as urinary tract problems, dental disease, compromised immune systems, constipation, kidney & heart problems, increased chance of falling, pneumonia & other respiratory problems, and even up to death. Adequate liquid intake allows the body to properly regulate its own temperature, maintain blood pressure & the body's circulatory system, and  to eliminate bodily waste.

The symptoms of dehydration include weakness, confusion, lethargy, headaches, dry mouth, muscle cramps, dizziness, low blood pressure, dark urine, increased heart rate, inability to sweat, irritability, in-coordination, sunken eyes, as well as dry & inelastic skin.

 The recommended daily fluid intake (water provided from both beverages and foods) for the elderly is  2.5 liters.

Tips & Tricks

• Encourage seniors to continually drink small quantities of beverages in between meals even when they are not thirsty. (In the elderly, recognizable thirst may actually be a symptom of the first signs of dehydration)
  

• Encourage drinking a cup or small glass of beverage each time medication is taken throughout the day.
  

• Always keep drinks within easy reach  (preferably small cups or bottles that can be easily refilled throughout the day, as many people find drinking from large beverage containers as daunting or intimidating)

• Keep a good variety of different beverages with different flavorings available (not just unflavored water) so that people will not grow tired of the same thing every day or in case their preferences change over time.
  

• Add flavoring to water to pique interest (especially flavored with fresh fruit such as lemon, watermelon, cucumber etc)
  • Keep in mind that some foods such as grapefruit can conflict with certain medicines
  • Caffeine & alcohol act as diuretics and should be limited in quantity
  • Avoid drinks that contain excessive calories, sugar, salt, potassium or other items that may conflict with medical conditions.
    

• Pretty-up beverages so that they are more eye-catching. This can be done by including bits of fruit, garnishes, adding extra color to the liquids (such as including a dash of strawberry or cranberry juice to make the liquid more colorful), creating mocktails through the use of crushed ice etc. Soda water can also be added if a senior enjoys having their drinks fizzy.
  

• Experiment with beverages of different temperatures as your elderly loved one may prefer having their teas served hot or cold, warmed juice over chilled juice etc
  

• Seniors may require special equipment to ease their handling of beverages such as tip-free mugs, cups with 1 - 2 handles for easy gripping, long straws etc.

• Always keep in mind that drinks need to be tailored specifically to the senior in question (no grapefruit for those taking certain cholesterol prescriptions, no sugary drinks to diabetics, no high sodium to those with high blood pressure etc)
  

• Remember that daily fluids don't have to be pure water & they don't have to be drunken in beverage form. Alternatives to liquids include...
  • Jello
  • Smoothies & milkshakes (for those who enjoy a thicker consistency + texture)
  • Soups & broths
  • Ice cream, sorbet, popsicles
  • Dairy products such as pudding, yogurt, and soft cheeses
  • Fruits or vegetables with high water content
    • This includes watermelon & other melons, cantaloupe, grapefruit, oranges, pineapples, peaches, strawberries, cranberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, zucchini, radishes, celery, cabbages, bell peppers, cauliflower, broccoli