Don’t Wait Until You Feel Thirsty to Drink

If you are a senior, it is especially important not to wait until you feel thirsty before you reach for a drink of water.  Experts explain that by the time older adults feel thirsty; they may have already lost two or more cups of their total body’s water.  One of the first sign of dehydration can be a headachy feeling at the end of the day. 

As we age, our body’s ability to conserve water is diminished, and as such, we are more susceptible to water and electrolyte imbalances.  Seniors also have a diminished sense of thirst, which means they may forget to drink enough fluids and become dehydrated.  In addition many medications commonly taken by the elderly have side effects that can cause dehydration such as blood pressure medications, heart disease medications, antihistamines, laxatives, and diuretics.  Diuretics, also known as water pills, are often taken by senior with high blood pressure or heart problems as a way to reduce the amount of fluid in the blood vessels and ease the pressure on the walls. 

There are useful tips that can help seniors to remember to drink enough fluids and to maintain healthy hydration levels.  To make it easy to stay hydrated, keep water in an easy-to-use water bottle.  To add more electrolytes to your water and to give it some extra flavor, add a slice of lemon or lime to your water.  It is recommended you drink moderate-size portions spread out through the day rather than drinking it all at once.  Add ice to keep it cold, and to make drinking water a habit, try to drink it at the same times throughout the day.  

At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, we represent the very best in senior living with a unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents at the foot of the majestic Rockies.  Please schedule a visit to experience firsthand our beautiful senior living community.