We hope that you will join us this Thursday, September 11, from 2
to 5 p.m. at the Village Commons for another tasteful Pathfinder Produce
market. We’ve got the freshest produce around!
***
Last week at Pathfinder Village, we hosted a specialized
training for care providers, human service agency staff, and family members
that focused on providing optimum supports for aging individuals living with
intellectual disabilities and dementia. This new curriculum is being
introduced throughout the country by the National Task Group on Intellectual
Disabilities and Dementia Practices (NTG) of the American Association of
Developmental Medicine and Dentistry; Pathfinder Village was honored by being
named the first-ever training site.
Although other duties prevented my attending the full
two-day training, one of my ‘take aways’ was the importance of keeping seniors
hydrated. According to the website, Medscape: Dehydration in
Geriatrics, “There is substantial evidence to show that aging causes
changes in body water composition, and that renal function and thirst
perception on average decline among older adults. These three factors account
for the prevalence of dehydration among the older adult population. In one
American study, dehydration was diagnosed in 6.7% of hospitalized patients age
65 and over, and 1.4% had dehydration as the principal diagnosis."
Dehydration is serious at any age, and many studies indicate
that most of us do not drink enough water each day. Certain medications
may also affect a person’s hydration level. According to the website of LifeStyle
Options, aging adults may no longer perceive thirst as they once did, or
they may feel the benefits of drinking water are not worth the increased need
to use the bathroom due to diminished mobility, and others may be self-aware
due to incontinence or spilling issues.
According to the website
of the Mayo Clinic, early signs of dehydration include:
- A dry, sticky mouth
- Sleepiness or tiredness
- Increased thirst (this isn’t always present in the elderly)
- Decreased urine output (urine will be concentrated)
- Dry skin
- Headache, dizziness or light headedness
- Constipation
As symptoms get more severe, adults may
experience irritability or confusion, excessively dry mouths and lips,
non-elastic dry skin, sunken eyes, limited urination, low blood pressure,
fever, and a rapid heartbeat and breathing. Care providers and family
members should seek medical assistance if an older person exhibits a series of
these signs. Call 911 if an older person is unable to keep down
fluids, develops severe or long lasting diarrhea, or is unconscious.
According to
the website A
Place for Mom, a practical way to track overall hydration is to check a
person’s weight each morning: A body weight loss of 2% may indicate
dehydration. To help an older person drink more, LifeStyle Options suggests
using closed-top containers and straws for cold drinks to help those who are
prone to spills. They also suggest offering water and other healthy
drinks at meals and several times a day between meals, such as flavored waters,
herbal teas, seltzers, or fat-free milk. It is also important for elders
to eat high-water content foods like soups, yogurt, and plenty of fruits and
vegetables.
Until next time,
drink up!
Lori
