About 60% of the body is made up of water. That’s why good hydration can help to keep the mind and body healthy and prevent from becoming dehydrated and having health complications.
The body loses fluids every day through urine, sweat and other bodily functions so it’s important to drink enough fluids to keep the balance.
Dehydration can be life threatening and can cause many problems such as urine infections, can affect mental performance (memory, attention etc), low blood pressure, weakness and so on.
Elderly people are more at a risk of dehydration as age related changes in the body systems naturally leaves an older person more inclined to dehydration e.g. reduced thirst mechanism due to medications which can restrict the ability or desire to drink fluids or reduced kidney function. Furthermore, elderly people are even more vulnerable during this daunting time where the virus is spreading around so staying hydrated through the lockdown can help to keep their immune system stronger.
These are potential signs that could show if person is becoming dehydrated:
·Thirst
·Dry mouth, lips and eyes
·Tiredness
·Dry skin
·Low blood pressure
·Confusion
·Headaches
·Dark urine or producing small amounts of urine
How you could make sure that older people drink enough fluids:
·Make sure they drink during mealtimes
·Keep water close to them that it would convenient to take it and make sure it’s fresh
·Make drinking a social thing, like “having a cup of tea”
·Provide them food with a high water content like broths and soups, or fruits like melon, strawberries, watermelon.
Hampshire Care Association have created few leaflets and a poster (links below) to include the signs and symptoms of dehydration, and how to keep hydrated to avoid problems like infections and falls which could require hospitalisation at a time when the NHS is seeing unprecedented demand.
More information about dehydration:
https://wessexahsn.org.uk/img/projects/HydrationLeaflet-1582637476.pdf
Top tips how keep older people hydrated (A3 size) - https://wessexahsn.org.uk/img/projects/HydrationPosterA3.pdf
Top tips how keep older people hydrated (A4 size) - https://wessexahsn.org.uk/img/projects/HydrationPoster-1584451329.pdf
