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Why Hydration is Imperative in Eldercare

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It might be a matter of amusement when people afraid of the water consider their bodies contain it. The brain, skin, organs and even the bones are made of some percentage of water. Water carries impurities out of the body, helps to maintain body temperature, lubricates the joints and carries necessary nutrients throughout the body. Dehydration occurs when the body doesn’t get enough incoming water. Men generally need about three liters per day, while women require two liters per day to remain properly hydrated.

Hydration in the Elderly

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Staying hydrated is important, as the senior body’s water content naturally decreases with age.

On the other hand, it’s not so funny when it’s our parents or other elderly family members. What isn’t generally recognized is that the senior body stores and uses its fluids (read water) differently. First, the senior body’s water content naturally decreases. Second, aging kidneys are less able to process water and sodium, resulting in inability to contain water during dehydration. Third, the bell inside our elders stops going off with age, the one reminding them that a drink of water would be a good idea. Elders’ thirst button gets turned off, too, so they simply don’t remember to drink anything.

Consequences of Dehydration in the Elderly

Physical events like slip and fall occasions are only the second act of the play. The first act begins in the mind of the senior. The embarrassment of incontinence prevents many elderly persons from drinking the proper amount of water. They are embarrassed at using the bathroom so many times. Confusion or the beginnings of dementia mean elders who simply don’t remember if they’ve eaten or drunk anything in a given time period. Also in the mind of the senior, asking for help due to inability to fetch a drink for himself is another cause of embarrassment. If elders live alone, they perhaps have trouble carrying a bottle or glass of water due to arthritis or the shaking common with other diseases. Frustration, fear and embarrassment cause many seniors to just forget it all together.

The damage done to the elderly body is manifold. Many medications seniors take for various ailments and diseases deplete their bodies of necessary fluids. Since the organs are made primarily of water, they will weaken. The brain, deprived of water, will develop headaches. Bones become brittle, skin dry and subject to injuries and fatigue. Kidney failure and seizures are common. The second act, therefore, is a weakened body susceptible to falls and coma.

How Can We Help Them?

Just saying “oh, all you need is a bottle of water” isn’t enough. Seniors won’t remember, nor will they get it themselves. They need help. Most senior hospitalizations are due to dehydration. More senior deaths are due to dehydration, not the falls it caused. Most eldercare includes monitoring the state of the senior’s hydration. It is necessary to his or her longevity. In the case of an assisted living facility, the personnel will monitor the senior’s water intake. Endeavor In-Home Care, trusted providers of companion care Chandler, AZ and the surrounding areas depend on, can help ensure the hydration and health of your loved one. Please contact us today.

Best Eldercare Tips for Distracted Driving Awareness Month

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Just because they can’t drive doesn’t mean they have to lose their independence.

Did Distracted Driving Awareness Month (April) have you wondering whether or not it’s time to take the car keys away from mom and dad? If so, welcome to the club. It’s a common problem that adult children wrestle with each year. On one hand, there’s mom and dad’s need for independence. On the other, there’s the worry that their aging senses will put them and others in grave danger. So keeping that in mind, we’ve put together a few eldercare tips to help our friends, family and community members at large decide what to do:

  • Check the expiration date on mom or dad’s driver’s license and then turn towards your local Department of Motor Vehicles. Many have laws in place that require people 65 years of age and older to either renew their licenses in person or submit to additional testing. The additional testing will help give you peace of mind as well as make the DMV the bad guy, not you, should their licenses need to be revoked.
  • If your local DMV doesn’t offer such services, turn towards your parents’ doctors instead. Ask them to evaluate mom and dad. Afterward, sit down with the doctor and your parents to discuss the results. There may be actions mom and dad can take to improve their vision, hearing and reflexes. Examples include getting laser surgery, exercising, playing brain games and purchasing high-quality hearing aids. If not, the doctors may have no choice but to recommend license revocation.
  • Remember, when it comes time to take the keys away, it doesn’t mean that mom and dad’s independence must end. There are eldercare options available that can make all the difference. For instance, caregivers or agencies may help provide mom or dad with safe, reliable transportation. They may also offer in-home care services that will limit the need for traveling outside of the home.

To learn more about them and other eldercare tips for keeping parents safe but independent, please contact us. At Endeavor Senior Care, we will work with elderly residents who’ve had their driver’s licenses taken away as well as those who are still safely on the road.