Some elderly men and women just don’t drink enough. In the American Journal of Public Health, almost 7 percent of seniors who entered the hospital was dehydrated. Of those, 1.4 percent were diagnosed with dehydration as the principal issue for their health complaint.

Dehydration can increase the risk of kidney stones, constipation, and many other health issues. Your mom or dad may not have as strong a sense of thirst as they once did. Some seniors simply do not enjoy just plain water. If you’re struggling to get your parent to drink enough, here are some options that might work.

Add Slices or Chunks of Fruit

Instead of serving a plain glass of water, use frozen fruit like strawberries or blueberries as ice cubes. Add slices of lemon, lime, or orange. The fruit adds a slight sweetness without adding sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Make Pitchers of Decaf Iced Tea or Coffee

If your mom or dad has a French press coffee maker, put grounds in the bottom, top it up with cold water, and let it steep in the fridge for a day or two before serving. Cold brew iced coffee is a good way to keep a coffee lover hydrated.

You can also make pitches of decaf tea. Play around with different flavors until you find out what your parents like. They may enjoy mint and lemon herbal tea on ice or decaf green tea sweetened with a touch of honey.

Whip Up Smoothies

Seniors with dementia often develop a taste for sweet foods and drinks. You don’t want to add sugar to your parent’s diet. Instead of sugary drinks, use some seltzer and frozen berries to create virgin daiquiris. Not only will your parent hydrate, but you can get in the daily requirement of fresh fruits, too.

Berries are high in antioxidants, so opt for fruits like frozen blueberries, cherries, raspberries, and blackberries. Research has found those fruits to benefit cognitive health. You can add pure cranberry juice to help ward off urinary tract infections, too.

Buy a Soda Maker

If you find the only beverage your parent will drink regularly is soda, take control of the ingredients. With a soda maker like SodaStream, you can control the ingredients. Make some plain soda water and add fruit essences and natural sweeteners like maple syrup, honey, or stevia to add sweetness.

If you’re not around enough to make sure your parent stays hydrated, hire a caregiver. Home care services provide companionship and help your mom and dad with daily tasks like housekeeping, medication reminders, appointment scheduling, and meals. Call a home care agency to learn more.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Elder Care in San Jose, CA, contact the friendly staff at Home Care Professionals today.

Sources:

Medscape.com

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andy@hcprosonline.com

CEO at HomeCare Professionals

Andy Howardis a Bay Area Native who holds a BA in Political Science (University of Colorado at Boulder, ’97). After college Andy worked in the surging tech industry.His Grandmother however, would suffer a significant decline in health and ultimately needed in-home care. The experience of a loved one depending on outside help to age in place proved to be pivotal for Andy as he left the tech industry in 2002 for an opportunity in the home care world with a large provider. After having success in home care, but being frustrated by corporate constraints Andy founded HomeCare Professionals in 2005.He methodically built the company one client at a time by focusing on hiring quality caregivers to ensure positive outcomes. Currently Andy serves as the CEO of HomeCare Professionals and is also highly active in the non-profit organization California Association of Health Services at Home (CAHSAH) which advocates for a higher standard of in-home care for those who wish to remain living at home in California.

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