The Importance of Water in the Elderly

By Cindy K. Sproles

Times are changing. More Americans are switching their sights from sugar-filled drinks to good old-fashioned water. Nothing seems to quench a thirst over H2O. However, for our seniors, drinking enough water is tough.

According to the American Medical Association, the internal scale that balances the need for fluids and the desire for them shifts as our bodies age. Thirst decreases. And the less we drink, the less we want. This is especially dangerous for our seniors.

Seniors need water, and the hurdles happen when this desire plummets. Water hydrates not only thirst, but the entire body. Well-hydrated bodies sport brains that function better, leading to a stronger memory and thought process. Water acts as a lubricant for joints and muscles, helping keep the body well-oiled and moving.

Aging adults will sometimes suffer from constipation, thus adding fiber to their diets. Fiber increases stools and, as a result, draws more water from their systems. Drinking plenty of fluids aids in digestion and improves bowel functions. Being well hydrated helps aid in more elasticity in the skin, helping ward off dry skin, dry eyes, and scratchy throats.

Kidney issues are common in seniors as well. Without proper hydration, the body cannot function to flush out impurities and toxins that build in the system. In a nutshell, water not only washes your dishes at home but also cleanses your body.

Encourage aging family members to keep water freely throughout their house. Adding a glass by the bed, recliner, laundry room, and even water in the garage makes for a readily available reminder to reach for a sip.

Watch for symptoms of dehydration in your loved ones by checking for sunken and darkened eyes, drowsiness, confusion, labored or slurred speech, dizziness, chronic muscle aches, labored breathing, and weakness. Few realize how important water is to the lungs. By keeping them moist and soft rather than dry and hardened, breathing (especially for those seniors with COPD and other pulmonary issues), is much easier.

Water increases the body’s ability to function correctly, and learning to avoid highsugar drinks is one small step in helping improve your aging parent’s quality of life. Whether it’s cold tea, filtered water, flavored no-sugar water, or calorie water… drink. Water is a refreshing and life-giving addition to your loved one’s life.