How to Help With Summer Hydration for Seniors

On hot summer days, hydration is important for people of every age—and seniors more than most. Not only do they often have trouble detecting when they’re overheated, drinking enough water can be challenging for older adults. 

Some medications can prevent them from noticing when they’re thirsty, and coordination issues can make it harder to open a bottle or fill a glass. They also might feel cold and put on a sweater even when the weather’s warm, leading to dehydration from sweating.

All of this can lead to dangerous complications: confusion, erratic behaviors, UTIs and more.

Here’s the good news: With a few simple strategies for hydration and summer sun safety, you can help your friend or family member enjoy the warm weather. Here’s how:

Make Hydration Convenient

Many older adults lack the impulse to hydrate. It’s not that they avoid drinking water; they just don’t tend to seek it out, and they often need to be reminded. One of the best ways you can help them stay hydrated is to make it as easy and convenient for them as possible.

• Keep a water bottle on hand during outings. Don’t ask if they need it; just make sure it’s available at all times and hand it to them regularly.
• Bring more water than you need. It’s better to have too much than not enough. Even if you’re going somewhere you can easily refill, bring a spare bottle in case the drinking fountain is broken.
• Pack a cooler. On family trips, make sure to pack a cooler full of water bottles in the car.

By making hydration convenient, you can significantly increase the amount of water your friend or family member drinks. Do it consistently enough, and they may get in the habit of sipping idly.

Make Water Appealing

Even seniors who have completely lost the impulse to drink water still enjoy a tasty beverage. If you can make hydration a pleasure rather than a chore, your friend or family member is far more likely to drink enough.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to do so, without adding any sugar or caffeine.

• Bring on the flavor. There are plenty of low-to-no-calorie flavoring powders and concentrates that can make your friend or family member’s water taste good, and many of them contain electrolytes to boost hydration further. They’re especially helpful while traveling because unfamiliar-tasting tap water can put many seniors off. With an infuser bottle, you can even use fresh fruit to add your own mix of flavors; “spa water” with ingredients like lemon, cucumber and mint can make a normal day feel a little more fun.
• Make it bubbly. Carbonation can make plain water feel a little more interesting, and fruit-flavored seltzers can liven it up further.
• Keep it cool. There’s nothing less refreshing than a swig of warm water on a hot day. Cooler water isn’t just more appealing; it also helps older adults stay cool when the temperature rises. 

Find the Right Water Bottles

A good water bottle might seem costly, but it’s more than worth the investment. Not only does a high-quality bottle stay cold and prevent leaks, it’s also nicer to use—and frequently easier to drink out of.

If you’re hunting for a good water bottle, here’s what to look for:

• Good insulation. A well-insulated bottle can keep drinks cold for hours. The best ones are made of double-walled metal or thick, durable plastic, and they’re heavier than they look. Since ice water is hard on many seniors’ sensitive teeth, having a bottle that can keep water cool-but-not-cold without ice is worth picking up.
• A gasket. A rubber or silicone gasket under the lid will stop leaks. (But make sure to clean it regularly!)
• A straw. A bottle with a built-in straw can make hydration much easier for seniors who struggle with coordination. Another option is to put a reusable straw in an existing bottle—if you do so, try to use a flexible straw or a metal one with a silicone tip for better comfort and adjustability.
• Dishwasher safety. Germs build up in water bottles faster than on toilet seats, so it’s best to clean them regularly. For your own convenience, look for a bottle that’s dishwasher-safe, and get at least two so one is always clean.

Many people also decorate their water bottles with stickers, just like they do with luggage. It’s a good way for your friend or family member to add a sense of fun and whimsy or to commemorate their adventures. Vinyl stickers are best because they can weather the biggest adventures…as well as regular dishwasher cycles.

You can even get your own vinyl stickers printed from your photos or designs. Print a few of their favorite pictures to make them smile while they sip.

Find Lighter Outerwear

Many seniors love their favorite sweaters so much that they keep wearing them even when it’s hot out, which can make them overheat or dehydrate faster than usual. If your friend or family member wants to keep wearing a sweater during the summer, try finding them a lighter piece of outerwear like a shawl or an athletic vest. That way, they can stay cozy and comfortable with less risk of overheating.

Find Alternative Ways to Hydrate

Some seniors face barriers to hydration that are harder to overcome. Fortunately, there are specialized products available to help.

• Water thickeners make drinking easier and more comfortable for older adults who have trouble swallowing. You can also combine them with flavorings to make them more enticing.
• Hydration candies make it far easier for seniors, especially those with dementia, to stay hydrated. While they look and taste like sweet jellies, they’re made almost entirely of water—and they’re completely sugar-free. 

Watch for Signs of Dehydration

While the right strategies can help reduce risk, it’s still important to watch for signs of dehydration. If your friend or family member has constipation, dark-colored urine or sunken eyes, take them somewhere cool and make sure they get water.

Be on the lookout for these symptoms in particular:

• Headache.
• Dizziness.
• Confusion.
• Hot, dry skin.

All of these can be signs of heat stroke. If you see them, seek medical attention immediately.

Get Help With Hydration for Seniors and More in Charlotte, NC

It can be challenging for older adults to drink enough water, especially on hot days, but the right strategies can make it a lot easier. By making hydration easy and appealing, you can help your friend or family member enjoy the summer.

If you need a little extra help ensuring a senior in your life stays cool and comfortable this summer, FirstLight Home Care of Charlotte is here for you. Our dedicated caregivers can accompany older adults, keeping water on hand and giving them gentle reminders to drink on a regular basis, along with helping to manage other summer plans, so you can focus on connecting with them as a family member.
Contact us to learn more about how our caregivers can help seniors enjoy the summer.