While most people will become dehydrated in the summertime, there are others who get dehydrated at other times throughout the year. This is because there is more to becoming dehydrated than just the heat. If you want to help keep your elderly loved one hydrated, you need to know more about why they could become dehydrated.
Mobility Issues
One of the most common reasons why elderly adults will become dehydrated is due to mobility issues. If your loved one has mobility issues, they might have a difficult time moving around their home. If there is nobody around to help them out, they might become dehydrated if they haven’t gotten up to get water throughout the day. It is important to have someone there to help those who have mobility issues. You or an elderly care provider can help prevent your loved one from becoming dehydrated. You can also place bottles of water throughout their home, so there is always water within reach.
Incontinence
If your elderly loved one has incontinence, they may not want to drink a lot of water. Drinking more water means they have to get up more to use the bathroom. This might become irritating for them. It might be an even bigger issue if your loved one is out in public, without a bathroom nearby. If your loved one is worried about having an accident in public, talk to their doctor to see if anything can be done to help them. There are different methods that can be used to treat incontinence.
Memory Loss
Your elderly loved one might also be experiencing memory loss. They might be thirsty, yet forget where they can get a drink. In addition, there are some elderly adults who forget how to tell if they are thirsty. For those who have memory loss, it is very important that they have elderly care providers or a loved one to help remind them to drink water throughout the day. If they are left to fend for themselves, they could easily become dehydrated.
These are some of the reasons why your elderly loved one is becoming dehydrated. It is important to realize the dangers of elderly adults becoming dehydrated. If your loved one is experiencing any of the above issues, you should make sure to have someone around to take care of them. The person that is taking care of them should remind them to drink water and make sure they are getting enough water throughout the day, as well.
If you or a loved one are looking for experienced Elderly Care in Arlington, VA, contact SenCura at 703-880-2547. Providing in-home senior care in Northern Virginia.