The Importance of Hydration on Aging in 2017

Eating a balanced diet that is packed full of nutrients is an essential part of senior health. However, the need for keeping well hydrated shouldn’t be overlooked either. Hydration is important for maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance, especially as the body ages, and it is integral to good health.

Why Seniors Need Adequate Hydration

There are several factors that make seniors more vulnerable to dehydration:

  • As we get older, the kidneys do not function as well and this affects the way the body regulates fluids.
  • Medications like blood pressure pills, which are commonly taken by elderly people, can also result in dehydration.
  • In seniors, the thirst response mechanism can be impaired so they don’t always recognize their need to drink.
  • A decline in cognitive function is a further reason why some seniors can get dehydrated.


Hydration on Aging in 2017 ; Hot Weather

Keeping hydrated in the hot weather is imperative, especially for seniors with an underlying health condition. Dehydration is one of the main reasons why mortality rates are higher among seniors during a heatwave; make sure a cold drink is always at hand. Another risk factor for dehydration in the summer is the fact that seniors often have an inability to tell if their body temperature is rising.

Improving Hydration Among Seniors

To reduce the chances of dehydration, make water readily available. This could be in the form of a ready filtered jug to reduce impurities, or you could buy bottled water. If you want to make sure there is always an ample supply of bottled water, use a delivery service; this is beneficial for older adults who might not be able to get to the store on a regular basis.

Remember to include plenty of fruits and vegetables in the diet as they are naturally high in water and check that older relatives have easy access to teas and fruit teas, which all count towards fluid intake. However, limit caffeine as this can cause dehydration. If an elderly relative doesn’t like plain water, heavily dilute juice drinks or provide a flavoured water. Finally, encourage them to drink little and often so fluid intake is kept at optimum levels during the day.


The above tips should give you some ideas to improve hydration among seniors. Try a few ideas to optimize fluid intake so you can establish which ones work the best. Finally, make sure you are aware of symptoms like headaches or fatigue, which could indicate dehydration.

Why Silver Springs Water?
