Dehydration happens when your body loses more fluids than it takes in.
Your body needs water for a variety of processes, including regulating your temperature, getting rid of wastes, and lubricating your joints.
Staying hydrated is particularly important as you get older. An older adult who’s dehydrated may be at a higher risk for complications like:
- constipation
- electrolyte imbalances
- kidney problems
- loss of balance
Read on to learn more about why older adults are more prone to dehydration, the symptoms to look out for, and what you can do to help prevent dehydration.
Older adults are more susceptible to dehydration for several reasons.
Dehydration can have a variety of causes. Below are some of the most common causes of dehydration in older adults:
- Heat exposure. Spending time in hot or humid conditions can lead to increased fluid loss through sweating.
- Illness. Being sick with symptoms like fever, vomiting, or diarrhea can cause dehydration.
- Mobility problems. It may be more difficult for older adults with mobility issues to be able to get water on their own.
- Underlying health conditions. Some underlying health conditions, such as diabetes or kidney disease, can cause you to lose more fluid than normal.
- Medications. A side effect of some medications may be increased urination, which can cause additional fluid loss. Some examples of medication that can cause increased urination include diuretics and certain blood pressure medications.
Treatment for dehydration involves replacing the fluids that have been lost. For mild to moderate dehydration, this includes drinking water or other fluids, such as juices or broths.
Sometimes, vomiting or diarrhea can lead to a significant loss of electrolytes as well as water. In these situations, drinking beverages that contain electrolytes may be helpful. Examples include sports drinks and Pedialyte.
If dehydration is more severe, hospitalization may be needed. In this situation, fluids and electrolytes will be given intravenously.
If you’re an older adult, the following tips may help you stay well hydrated:
- Try to drink water throughout the day. Other beverages that may also help with hydration include milk, flavored sparkling water, and fruit juices with low sugar. Drink coffee and tea sparingly, as they can have diuretic effects.
- If it’s hard to drink too much liquid all at once, take small sips.
- Try to include foods in your diet that have higher water content. Some examples include watermelon, cucumber, celery, strawberries, and low sodium broths or soups.
- If you don’t find water very appealing, try adding a slice or squeeze of lemon or lime to add flavor.
- Plan to drink more water if you’re going to be out in hot or humid conditions for a prolonged period of time, or if you’re going to be exercising.
- If you’re ill with symptoms like fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, make sure to drink more fluids than normal.
- If you have an underlying health condition, speak with your doctor about your specific fluid and hydration needs.
If you’re a caregiver for an older adult, you can do the following to help prevent dehydration:
- Remind them to hydrate throughout the day, especially during mealtimes and after exercise or exertion.
- Keep water in places where it’s accessible and easy to reach.
- Implement easier access to the bathroom if they’re concerned about not making it to the toilet in time after drinking fluids.
Older adults are more susceptible to dehydration. There are many reasons for this, including lower fluid content in the body, decreased thirst response, and medications or underlying health conditions.
Recognizing the symptoms of dehydration is important so you can work to replace lost fluids. Look out for symptoms like dry mouth, fatigue, dark-colored urine, and lightheadedness.
Treating dehydration involves replacing lost fluids. You can work to prevent dehydration by making sure you regularly take in fluids throughout the day. This can include water, juices, broths, or foods with high water content.
If you’re unsure of your hydration needs, talk to your doctor to find out how much water you should be drinking each day.
Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on March 23, 2021 Dehydration is dangerous no matter what your age, but seniors are at a greater risk for dehydration than other age groups.
Dehydration can happen quicker than you think and can cause damage before you have a chance to rehydrate. Learn the signs of dehydration and how you can prevent it from happening to you. Dehydration happens when you don’t drink enough water. When your body's water content is too low, it causes damage quickly. Dehydration is
especially prevalent on hot days or after vigorous exercise. Mild or moderate dehydration is easy to recover from, but severe dehydration requires immediate medical attention. Risks for senior dehydration include: Signs of dehydration include: Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of these
symptoms: Feeling thirsty. Your body has a natural defense against dehydration – the feeling of thirst. While there are guidelines in place that tell you how much
water to drink each day, typically you can drink to your thirst. Your body lets you know how much water you need by giving you the sensation of needing to drink something. As you age, your body’s thirst signal diminishes. When your body needs water, you may not even realize it because you don’t feel thirsty like you once did. Body function. Your kidneys may not work as effectively with age, leading to a fluid imbalance in
your body. Since your body has less water composition as you age, you become dehydrated much quicker than when you were younger. Medications. Diuretics are especially prone to causing dehydration. If you take a combination of several medications, be aware of interactions that may lead to dehydration. Cognitive impairment. If you suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s, you’re at a greater risk for dehydration because you may
not remember to drink when you need to. Even if your body sends thirst signals, decreased cognitive ability may mean your brain doesn’t understand the signals or it may miss them completely. Drink water. The best way to prevent dehydration is to drink plenty of water. Keep in mind that drinking soda and coffee may increase the effects of dehydration in seniors, worsening your condition.
Try to stick to water, milk, or juice. Set reminders. If you don’t feel thirsty very often, set reminders on your phone or use a timer. Make sure you drink a certain amount of water each time your reminder goes off. By drinking water consistently throughout your day you can easily prevent dehydration. Once you establish a habit of drinking more water, it will
be easier to maintain. Keep in mind that you need to drink more than usual if you’re physically active or if it’s particularly hot outside. Consider your diet. Many fruits and vegetables have high water content and contribute to staying hydrated. If you find that drinking more water is difficult, try incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet. Other foods that promote hydration include: Enhance
your water. If you get bored drinking plain water all day, try infusing it with fruit. Add lemon, lime, or orange to your water so it tastes better. You can also add herbs like mint or basil if you prefer a stronger taste than fruit provides. Talk to your doctor. If you’ve tried these tips and you’re still experiencing dehydration, talk to your doctor. A healthcare professional can ask questions about your diet, habits, and medications to determine the cause of
your dehydration.Understanding Dehydration
Why Does Dehydration Affect Seniors?
Preventing Dehydration