Illustration: "A Mad Dog in a Coffee House" (ca 1800), Thomas RowlandsonOne day, my brother stopped by to visit our mother, then in her eighties. He found her sitting on the couch, slumped over her tray table, lethargic and weak. With some difficulty (she was hard to move), he got her to the doctor, where she was diagnosed with dehydration and revived with the application of fluids.
Dehydration is a serious and all-too-common health problem for seniors. There are several reasons for this.
As people age, sensations of thirst diminish. An older person who needs water may not feel thirsty.
People suffering from cognitive impairment may forget to drink, or may simply ignore feelings of thirst or signs of illness.
Kidney function often diminishes with age, leading to fluid imbalance and a tendency to become dehydrated more quickly than a younger person.
Some medications cause dehydration.
Sometimes older folks deliberately drink less, because they want to avoid frequent trips to the toilet. People who suffer from incontinence may try to stay dry.
Avoiding dehydration may require creating a schedule for drinking water. People who dislike water may be encouraged to drink more if they are given juice, flavored water or herbal teas. Eating foods with a high water content can help. Some sports drinks (not energy drinks) may be helpful.
Always rehydrate after spells of diarrhea or vomiting, or after exercising. Remember to drink more than usual in hot weather.
• WebMD: Dehydration in older aduilts
• Mayo Clinic: Dehydration Symptoms and Causes
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