Elderly adults tend to be more vulnerable to a wide range of health complications and issues than younger people. While you might think of this in terms of very serious health problems such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, it is important to keep in mind that it applies to more commonplace, but equally as pressing, health problems such as dehydration.
Ensuring that your elderly loved one gets the fluids that they need on a daily basis is absolutely critical to protecting their health and well-being, and that starts with understanding why they might be more vulnerable to suffering from dehydration, particularly chronic dehydration, than younger people.
Some of the reasons why seniors are more vulnerable to dehydration include:
- Elderly bodies have less water reserves than younger people. This means that there is less water within them to draw from for their regular functions if they are not drinking enough, making the loss of water faster.
- Older bodies are less capable of conserving water than younger people.
- Seniors tend to not be able to detect thirst signals than younger people, meaning that they might not realize that they are dehydrated because they do not feel that they are thirsty.
- Seniors who are dealing with cognitive functioning decline, such as in Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, are less likely to be able to understand what thirst signals mean even if they do feel them. They might not understand what it means to be thirsty or what they are supposed to do to address those signals, or they might think that they have already had something to drink and do not need more.
- Seniors are likely to be suffering from other health complications that exacerbate dehydration, such as diabetes, and may be taking medications that draw water out of the body and worsen the issue.
- Seniors frequently deal with mobility problems that prevent them from being able to access water safely and confidently when they are on their own.
Starting homecare for your elderly loved one can be an exceptional way for you to help them live the highest quality of life possible as they age in place. The highly personalized services of a homecare provider can fill care gaps that might exist in your efforts due to your own limitations or busy schedule.
This means that both when you are able to be with your loved one and when you are not, you can feel confident that they are getting all of the care, support, assistance, and encouragement that they need to manage their challenges, limitations, and needs in the way that is right for them.
This will not only boost their physical health and safety, but also improve their mental and emotional health and well-being while encouraging them to stay as independent, engaged, and fulfilled as possible. In your role as a family caregiver this will give you greater confidence that they will be in the best hands both when they are with you and when they are not.
Sources: http://www2.erie.gov/seniorservices/index.php?q=heat-stress
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dehydration/symptoms-causes/dxc-20261072
If you or an aging loved one are considering Homecare Services in Cutler Bay FL, contact the caring staff at Providence Healthcare Services. We provide services in all of Miami Dade county and the Upper Keys. Call today (305) 680-5349.
