Reasons behind Seniors being at Higher Risk for Dehydration in Phoenix, AZ

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Summer is here and as we all know, this season provides opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors ranging from daily walks to picnic in the parks. But spending a great amount of time outdoors comes with increased risk for dehydration especially on the part of senior people which can be attributed to age-related changes that impair ability to sense thirst. Other times, it is because the body doesn’t adjust to changes in temperature as quickly as it used to.

If your senior family members are finding it difficult in carrying out their day-to-day tasks, if they are always forgetting something or the other and so forth, it is time that you take a few precautionary measures in order to ensure the safety of your loved one. In the Phoenix region in Arizona, you can approach the award-winning Anthem Senior Living where you can expect for your parents or grandparents to receive the best form of senior living in Anthem care and support.

Here’s a list of a few reasons behind dehydration among older adults:

Memory Loss- Some seniors with memory loss have trouble recognizing the body’s cues that indicate it’s time for a drink especially an older adult who has Alzheimer’s.

Mobility Issues– There are many seniors who suffer from mobility issues and they are the ones who are most likely to feel like it is too much work to go back and forth to the kitchen or water fountain for water. They are also aware of that drinking more water will require them to make more trips to and from the bathroom. The senior person fear these added trips to the kitchen and bathroom might increase their risk for a fall.

It is advisable that you better help out your loved one in staying hydrated this summer season. We have a few tips that might help.

Ways to Prevent Dehydration during Summer:

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults should consume 48–64 ounces of liquid each day unless advised differently by a physician. If your loved one isn’t keen on drinking that much plain water, find out creative ways to help them stay hydrated like-

1. There are many fruits and vegetables that are high in water content like melon, cucumber, berries, celery, tomatoes, bell peppers, oranges, spinach, and broccoli. So, incorporating them into the diet can help pump up hydration.
2. Encourage the senior to drink a full glass of water first thing in the morning which not only helps with hydration, but also flushes toxins that build up in the body overnight.

• If you beloved doesn’t like the taste of plain water, ask them to add flavor with lemon slices, berries, or mint sprigs. Another option to consider is flavored sparkling water.

1. Invest in BPA-free bottles the senior can fill and store in the refrigerator. For their help, number the bottles 1–8 and encourage the senior to drink each one of them over the course of the day.

A few other valuable steps that can help your loved one in reducing fluid loss caused by perspiration are:

1. Dressing in lightweight, breathable clothing.
2. Staying indoors or in the shade during the hottest hours of day, which are typically between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Hope, these tips are of help to you. To book a suite or to take a tour of our facility at Anthem Senior Living, contact us.