Why We Need to Pay Extra Attention To Keep Seniors Hydrated

National Hydration Day!

Why we need to pay extra attention to keep our seniors hydrated:

Dehydration is a serious concern for seniors. Elderly adults are among the most at-risk groups for dehydration, one of the most frequent causes of hospitalization after age 65.

As a natural part of the aging process, our bodies undergo physiological changes that increase our risk of becoming dehydrated. With advancing years, seniors can lose their sense of thirst and tend not to drink enough. Our appetites decrease, we eat less food and as a result get fewer fluids from solid food sources, too, problematic for the elderly since almost everyone gets about half their daily water requirement from solid foods and fruit and vegetable juices.

In addition, our fluid balance can be affected by medication, emotional stress, exercise, general health, and the weather. Many seniors have chronic health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, and may take medications that can make them more susceptible to dehydration. Our aging bodies also lose some natural ability to regulate temperature due to diminishing sweat glands, which makes seniors more susceptible to temperature changes in the environment. In addition, cognitive decline, including dementia or Alzheimer’s, can also increase the risk of dehydration because people may simply forget to hydrate or not be aware of their condition.

The two most serious conditions for seniors that result from heat and exposure to high temperatures are heat exhaustion and heat stroke, both of which primarily result from dehydration.