Archive for the ‘Hydration’ Category
Posted on November 18, 2010 - by Nurse Virginia
ANYONE CAN BECOME DEHYDRATED, THE CONFUSED ELDER IS AT MORE RISK
Many times an elderly person will intentionally stop drinking water, because they don’t want to make so many trips to the bathroom. They just get in the habit of never drinking more than a sip. The elder may already be dehydrated and not even notice they are thirsty.
12 Reasons everyone needs water:
- Water is an absolute requirement for all life.
- Although other nutrition can be neglected for weeks even months, we cannot go without water for more than 100 hours.
- Water content for the elderly is 56% in men and 47% in women.
- All beverages count equally as water intake including items that are liquid at room temperature such as jello, ice cream, sherbet, etc.
- Body water content varies with energy expenditure.
- Body water content is used for temperature control.
- The actual amount of water an elderly person needs depends on age, physical activity, illness, the temperature and humidity of the environment.
- Water is used to move waste products from the body, many elders suffer from constipation.
- Water is used as a lubricant between body structures.
- Keep a close eye on the water consumption of the elderly because, aging diminishes the sense of thirst.
- For the elderly, three fluids must be provided at every meal.
- To keep the elder hydrated, fluids must be provided between all meals.
Remember, by the time a person is thirsty – they are already dehydrated.
Virginia Garberding, R.N.
Director of Education, The Wealshire, Lincolnshire, Illinois
Author: Please Get To Know Me – Aging with Dignity and Relevance
www.pleasegettoknowme.com
Posted on July 8, 2010 - by Nurse Virginia
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT STROKE IN THE ELDERLY
Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Often the problem is that elderly people don’t want to be a problem and so they don’t want someone called. They will say they will be just fine even when they are feeling very poorly. The old movies had it right when we saw someone collapse and then a bystander went to get a cool cloth, gave a cool drink, and fanned the person to give them air circulation. They were really doing the right thing.
Signs and symptoms of heat stroke:
- Fast heart beat
- Fast / shallow breathing
- Hot dry skin – (can be cold clammy skin if the person is going into shock)
- Confusion – altered mental state
Elderly at risk for heat stroke:
- Elderly who are socially isolated
- Elderly on diuretics
- Elderly with decreased ability to sweat (diagnosis of hypothyroidism, on a stimulant or one of the many medications that contribute to dehydration by altering salt to water balance)
- Elderly who drink alcohol in warm or hot weather – alcohol is a diuretic
- Elderly who are obese
- Confused Elderly
- Elderly without air-conditioning
- Elder in large crowds where there is little air circulation
Ways to reduce incident of heat stroke:
- Reduce physical activity in hot or humid weather
- Stay well hydrated
- Do outdoor activities during cool time of day
Elderly least likely to develop heat stroke:
- Elderly who are well hydrated – the color of a person’s urine should be light yellow – dark urine is a sign of dehydration
- Elderly who has the ability to sweat
- Elderly who has a good social network
- Elderly who have access to air conditioning
Virginia Garberding, R.N.
Director of Education, The Wealshire, Lincolnshire, Illinois
Author: Please Get To Know Me – Aging with Dignity and Relevance
www.pleasegettoknowme.com
Posted on June 23, 2009 - by Nurse Virginia
Caregiver Tips: The confused elderly person may no longer be thirsty, 12 reasons to keep drinking
Many times an elderly person will stop drinking water. It could be that they don’t want to make so many trips to the bathroom. The confused elderly may no longer realize they are thirsty.
12 Reasons to give your elder water:
• Water is an absolute requirement for all life.
• Although other nutrition can be neglected for weeks even months, we cannot go without water for more than 100 hours.
• Water content for the elderly is 56% in men and 47% in women.
• All beverages count equally as water intake including items that are liquid at room temperature such as jello, ice cream, sherbet, etc.
• Body water content varies with energy expenditure.
• Body water content is used for temperature control.
• The actual amount of water an elderly person needs depends on age, physical activity, illness, the temperature and humidity of the environment.
• Water is used to move waste products from the body, many elders suffer from constipation.
• Water is used as a lubricant between body structures.
• Keep a close eye on the water consumption of the elderly because, aging diminishes the sense of thirst.
• For the elderly, three fluids must be provided at every meal.
• To keep the elder hydrated, fluids must be provided between all meals.
By the time a person is thirsty – they are already dehydrated. At: www.alzbrain.org you can download a nice poster with reminders to hydrate. (see: Hydration Fact Sheet)
- Help your elder find comfort, relevance and respect no matter how frail he or she is.
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