There are a couple of reasons why elderly individuals are more susceptible to dehydration or fluid imbalances. Factors like muscle mass and kidney function tend to decline with age, thus diminishing their ability to conserve water in the body. Older individuals’ sense of thirst diminishes with time and certain medical conditions can also affect their water retention ability. Here are some methods to get them to drink more water.
Eat Foods With Higher Water Content
Remember that there are various sources of fluids and that one doesn’t need to only drink water to stay hydrated. Instead of drinking more water which your loved one may easily get sick of, you can add foods with high water content to their meals. If your elderly parent has an aversion to fruits and vegetables, like salads, it may be unrealistic to prepare such dishes for them.
Cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers are a few examples of fruits with high water content you can add into sandwiches, soup, rice, or other savory dishes in a more discrete way. Try blending these into the food to give your loved one a nutritious meal, while allowing them to enjoy their meal. Serve a plate of oranges, blueberries, grapes, or watermelons as dessert, or blend a fruity concoction for them to drink alongside their meal. Incorporating these items daily can help your loved ones prevent dehydration without them having to significantly change their fluid intake.
Consider Your Loved One’s Preferences
The way you serve beverages can affect your elderly adult’s ability and willingness to drink them. Depending on one’s preferences, serving colder or warmer beverages can help increase your loved one’s intake of fluids. If your loved one prefers colder drinks, keeping iced lemon water or healthy juices in the fridge could make drinking more appealing to them. For older adults who prefer that warm, comforting feeling in their stomach when they drink, tea or warm lemon water could be a great alternative to keep close by during mealtimes so that they drink more water.
Switch Up The Aesthetics
A different way to serve beverages is switching up your drinkware for more aesthetic-looking ones. If your loved one has poor vision, they may be able to spot a bright, opaque mug better than a transparent one, potentially remembering to drink more water. Others may find a beverage more appealing if it is served in a pretty glass with garnishing. Iced lemon water in a fountain glass with a slice of fresh lemon on its rim would look more appetizing than having the same beverage in a plain opaque cup. The key is to experiment with various types of drinkware and garnishing to see what your loved ones enjoy more.
Why Choose Aston Gardens At Pelican Marsh?
We offer a vast array of amenities and services that easily make our senior living community an attractive option for older people. At Aston Gardens At Pelican Marsh, we offer a variety of senior living options, including independent living, assisted living, and memory care programs. Our attentive and caring staff will ensure that you enjoy a high quality of life here.
To learn more about the exclusive senior living programs in Aston Gardens At Pelican Marsh, contact us today.
