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- Sometimes adding a few slices of lemon or orange or some ice cubes can give water a fresh taste. This can make it easier to drink more.
www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/tips-for-water-intake-for-older-adultsWater Intake: Tips for Getting Enough Water When You’re Older
People also ask
Why do older people drink less water?
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Can hydration help seniors eat healthier?
These seven strategies for hydration for seniors can help you integrate water into your routine, and make drinking more water more enjoyable. 1. Choose Water You Like. Drinking water isn’t exactly a flavorful experience. If you’re accustomed to juices or soda, switching to more water can feel bland.
- Overview
- Why body temperature matters
- Being aware of aging
- How to hydrate
•Researchers say that as people age, they need to drink more water to compensate for changes in their body temperature regulation.
•They say dehydration can cause a number of ailments, including muscle pain, fatigue, and heat exhaustion.
•They urge older adults to drink water even when they aren’t thirsty and to limit beverages such as soda, coffee, and alcohol, which can cause dehydration.
As you get older, you need to drink more water.
That’s the advice from a new study published in The Journal of Physiology.
The researchers from the University of Ottawa point out that hydration is key in regulating body temperature and helping fight off a host of other health problems.
The researchers found that in contrast to young adults, the regulation of body temperature in the older subjects wasn’t influenced by the increase of saltiness in the blood.
Less efficient regulation of body temperature contributes to an increased risk of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, adverse heart problems.
“When it comes to the elderly, there are a couple things we need to remember,” Dr. Nodar Janas, medical director of Upper East Side Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in New York, told Healthline. “As we get older, our thirst center — which is located in the hypothalamus — isn’t as active as it used to be, so the brain doesn’t always give the signal that we need to drink. We need to make an extra effort to ensure that the elderly consume appropriate amounts of fluids, whether they’re thirsty or not.”
He continued, “If an elderly person gets dehydrated, one of the first organs to suffer are the kidneys, which can cause acute kidney failure. Dehydration also creates electrolyte imbalances, which can be deadly.
Dr. Rand McClain, founder of Regenerative & Sports Medicine in Santa Monica, California, told Healthline that he sees one particular problem among older people, especially men, when it comes to dehydration: They’re not aware or accepting of how their body changes with age.
“They are less likely to be wary and more likely to ignore signs of dehydration and heat-related illness because they have a past history that is unrepresentative of their new status as older adult males,” McClain said.
He added that older men might think, I have been doing it like this my whole life without a problem, so why should I change now?
“Most people have never experienced the severe symptoms associated with dehydration and, if dehydrated, are usually mildly so and able to compensate without much effort,” McClain said.
“We have air-conditioned environments, water fountains, and fluids so easily accessed in most places. However, many people do indeed live in a mildly dehydrated state because of the diuretic beverages they consume, such as coffee, tea, and caffeinated soft drinks and alcohol.”
McClain said we tend to “dry out” as we age, as our water composition can change from roughly 70 percent to as little as 50 percent.
Dr. Nicole Avena, an assistant professor of neuroscience at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, told Healthline that dehydration can cause other problems, such as fatigue and muscle weakness.
She said a 2015 study found 37 percent of people 65 and older admitted to emergency rooms showed signs of dehydration.
When it comes to how to hydrate, she says sticking to water is best.
“When you drink things like sodas and beverages that contain ingredients other than water, your body needs to work to process those ingredients,” Avena said. “Plain water is the best hydrator because your body can benefit from it without having to simultaneously process sugars, additives, and other ingredients that don’t have any benefit to health.”
Kristin Gillespie, MS, CNSC, a registered dietician with the website Exercise with Style, told Healthline that the abundance of nutrients hyped for health benefits tend to muddy the waters, so to speak, when it comes to how to hydrate.
“This makes it hard for the public to decide what nutrients are more or less important than others,” Gillespie said. “Water consumption and hydration is hard for a lot of people to appreciate because water offers no nutritional value.”
Feb 25, 2024 · Water helps you digest your food, absorb nutrients, and get rid of waste. As you get older, you might lose your sense of thirst. Also, medicines you're taking or health...
Sep 25, 2023 · Flavor Your Water: If you find water boring, try adding a slice of lemon, lime, or cucumber for a refreshing twist. You can also try drinking flavored water or herbal teas to increase your fluid intake.
Staying healthy includes eating well and keeping hydrated. This is important for older adults, 65 years and older. • Eating well can help your body meet its nutrition needs and keep you feeling strong. • Keeping hydrated means you are drinking enough fluids to feel alert and well. Use Canada’s food guide.
Mar 18, 2024 · Older adults are more prone to becoming dehydrated for a number of reasons, including a diminished sense of thirst. Finding simple ways to increase your water intake can help you avoid the complications of dehydration and stay healthy. Water isn't just a refreshing thirst-quencher.
May 30, 2023 · Many people aged 65 and older don’t drink enough liquids, says geriatric clinical nurse specialist Anne Vanderbilt, CNS. Let’s take a closer look at the issue and how to best address it.
