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Dehydration in Seniors: The Risk and Signs

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Water is essential to all living things, especially us humans. However, sometimes, we do not drink as much as we should, and our bodies let us know. According to the National Library of Medicine, dehydration in seniors is one of the most common and often chronic health conditions. This is primarily due to dehydration’s slow, sneaky, and often undetected symptoms.

Our bodies are about 60 percent water, so even a small dip of 1.5 percent can have a fast negative impact. Serious health complications can arise before you can recognize the problem. Dehydration in seniors can cause mood and energy levels to drop. More alarmingly, it can cause a slew of severe symptoms, from dizziness and rapid heart rate to confusion.

Do not let dehydration go undetected; read on to learn the most common causes and the symptoms to look out for. We will also give you a few tips on how to prevent dehydration in seniors. They may surprise you.

Causes of Dehydration in Seniors

Prescription Medications

It is true that the older we get, the more prescriptions we tend to need. These drugs are aimed at improving our health and quality of life. However, all prescription drugs come with the risk of side effects. One of the most common is dehydration.

Many medications are diuretics, meaning they cause you to have to urinate more often, depleting your fluid supply. So, check labels to see if frequent runs to the bathroom are a side effect of your prescription. Be sure to check blood pressure meds, as they are commonly associated with this problem.

Not Drinking Enough

With age comes a natural reduction in thirst. The 65-and-older crowd simply has less water in their bodies than younger adults or children. By the time a senior feels thirsty, they are already experiencing the early signs of dehydration. Additionally, many seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s simply forget to drink water often enough.

Mobility Issues

Seniors who find it hard to get around, especially if they live alone, find it difficult to access water. On the other hand, frequent trips to the bathroom, which come with increased liquid intake, are just as arduous. Put the two of these together, and you get limited fluid intake.

Signs of Dehydration in Seniors

Thirst, of course, is one sign of dehydration. As adults, we are familiar with the sensation of thirst. However, seniors often dismiss or do not notice this early symptom.

Urine can also reveal a lot about our hydration level. The amount produced and the color are prime indicators. Clear urine is a sign that you are well hydrated, while darker urine is a classic sign of dehydration.

Dehydration can affect us physically, mentally, and emotionally. Due to dwindling fluid levels, blood vessels in our brains and throughout our bodies constrict. Here are some physical signs to watch out for.

  • Flushed skin
  • Dry mouth and/or a dry cough
  • Headache
  • Lethargy and weakness
  • Dizziness or loss of coordination
  • Confusion or delirium
  • Low blood pressure
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Muscle cramps due to the loss of electrolytes
  • Inability to sweat
  • Chills or heat intolerance

Signs of Dehydration in Seniors

Thirst, of course, is one sign of dehydration. As adults, we are familiar with the sensation of thirst. However, seniors often dismiss or do not notice this early symptom.

Urine can also reveal a lot about our hydration level. The amount produced and the color are prime indicators. Clear urine is a sign that you are well hydrated, while darker urine is a classic sign of dehydration.

Dehydration can affect us physically, mentally, and emotionally. Due to dwindling fluid levels, blood vessels in our brains and throughout our bodies constrict. Here are some physical signs to watch out for.

  • Flushed skin
  • Dry mouth and/or a dry cough
  • Headache
  • Lethargy and weakness
  • Dizziness or loss of coordination
  • Confusion or delirium
  • Low blood pressure
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Muscle cramps due to the loss of electrolytes
  • Inability to sweat
  • Chills or heat intolerance

How to Prevent Dehydration in Seniors

There is a lot of truth in the saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” It is easier to stop something from happening in the first place than repair the damage after it has happened. Here are some things you can do to prevent dehydration in seniors.

  • Talk about the importance of hydration. We can all forget how important hydration is. A gentle reminder now and again can go a long way.
  • Encourage sipping throughout the day. A large glass of water can be daunting. Instead, keep smaller water bottles handy for little drinks throughout the day.
  • Fill the fridge with living water. Fruits and veggies are a natural source of water, and juicy snacks are a great way to hydrate.
  • Mind the heat. Sweating in hot weather can quickly cause dehydration. But summer is not the only culprit. Dry air in the house in the winter can also dehydrate you.
  • Limit diuretic beverages. Coffee, tea, and alcohol can increase urination and exacerbate dehydration.

Risks of Dehydration in Seniors

Unchecked dehydration can have dire consequences. It can cause weakness, confusion, or a drop in blood pressure that leads to dizziness. All of these can cause a fall, which often leads to broken bones. Dehydration can also cause hypovolemic shock. This is when blood pressure gets so low that the heart cannot pump enough blood through the body.

Signs of dehydration are harder to catch for older adults. Often, seniors struggle with dehydration without knowing it. This means complications are more likely and can include:

  • Seizures
  • Kidney problems
  • Low blood volume
  • Heat stroke

Drink Up and Benefit!

Proper hydration improves quality of life and reduces hospitalizations associated with dehydration in seniors. But how many glasses of water should seniors drink per day? Many factors affect hydration and water needs. For example, body size, climate, activity, and metabolic rate are just a few. This means water needs differ from person to person and even for the same person under different circumstances.

Since 1945, we have been taught that the rule is eight glasses a day. Keep in mind that this includes water intake from other beverages and food. But the question remains: what size is a glass? That is why the current recommendations are more specific at 13 cups per day for men and nine cups a day for women.

The moral of this story is to drink your water. The easiest way is to make it a healthy habit by drinking it at certain times each day. For example, drink a glass of water:

  • As soon as you wake up in the morning
  • With every meal
  • Before and after any activity

If you are looking for more tips on how to stay hydrated, ask your healthcare provider.

Active senior living communities like Convivial St. Pete, coming soon to St. Petersburg, FL, promote a lifestyle of physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness. And with that, education on staying active, eating healthy, and staying hydrated. Together, they are the foundation for greater independence and a healthy, active, and purposeful lifestyle. For more information you can schedule an appointment by calling 941-200-5219 or click here.