June 25, 2024

It’s the final blog post for June, and I’m wrapping up National Safety with a topic that is really vital to the safety and well-being of everyone.  Hydration.  Did you know that the average adult human body is about 60% water?  Water is essential for our bodies to work properly.  Being well hydrated helps maintain healthy body weight, good energy levels, and aids in flushing out toxins that can harm our bodies. 

Dehydration occurs when our bodies lose more fluid that we take in, and while anyone is susceptible to dehydration, those that suffer from dementia are more easily prone to become dehydrated.  When someone with dementia becomes dehydrated, it can be a serious cause for concern because it can worsen their symptoms and lead to other health problems.  Dehydration can exacerbate confusion, hallucinations, and lethargy.  Dehydration increases the risk of falls.  Dehydration can increase the risk of urinary tract infections which can have a cascading negative effect on overall health.

Why are dementia patients more likely to become dehydrated?  There are many answers to this question.  They forget to drink.  They cannot communicate or even recognize that they are thirsty.  They don’t like the taste.  They get distracted from the task of drinking.  

Whatever the reason, it is important, as the care partner, to recognize the importance of helping your loved one stay hydrated.  Here is a simple list of ideas to implement to help ensure your loved one with dementia is staying hydrated.

Offer a variety of fluids: Perhaps they dislike the taste of plain water.  Try making drinking more appealing by offering teas, fruit infused water, diluted fruit juices, or clear broth.  Experiment to see what works for your loved one.

Create a hydration schedule: We talk a lot about the importance of schedules when caring for someone with dementia.  It helps keep the patient in a routine, and it gives the care partner steadiness in the midst of chaos.  Establish a routine for drinking fluids.  Offer them at specific times during the day like with meals, when they are taking their medications, or bathroom breaks – anytime you can associate with having a drink.

Use straws or cups with lids: Make drink ware functional.  Dementia patients struggle to grab and hold objects.  Simplify with easy to hold cups and straws to make the process of drinking more  manageable.

Offer hydrating foods:  Your loved one can also get fluids from foods!  Incorporate foods with high water content into their diet.  Examples include: melons, oranges, cucumbers, and popsicles.  

Remember, it’s hot outside.  We all need to stay hydrated to stay healthy and well.  Use these strategies or others that work for you to ensure you and your loved one is getting enough fluid.  Happy drinking!