Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration in Older People

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There’s a common saying that your body can survive three weeks without food but only three days without water – while the exact number varies from person to person and their living conditions, it does bring across the significance of water in our lives. While we all understand this and try to maintain a good water intake, with age, we tend to ignore our body’s needs and often end up suffering the health consequences of dehydration. Be it due to a lack of mobility, a major illness or simply because of bodily changes, older adults are more prone to dehydration. If you are someone responsible for caring for an elderly person, ensuring proper hydration must be one of your responsibilities. To help you better fulfil this responsibility, let us take you through the symptoms of elderly dehydration. Keep your eyes open for these signs and do your bit towards maintaining their health and well-being.

But before we get into the signs, let us understand why dehydration is more common in older adults.

Dehydration in Seniors: Why Are They More Vulnerable to Dehydration?

Lower Water Percentage

A human body consists of 60 percent water, but with age, this number decreases and comes down to around 50-55% during old age. The lower the percentage of water, the more your body is susceptible to dehydration. That’s why older people are more vulnerable to dehydration.

Decrease Thirst Sensation

With age, all your senses tend to weaken, and so does the ability to sense thirst. Even if their body needs water, older people might not feel thirsty, increasing the risk of dehydration.

Lower Kidney Function

Your kidney performs multiple functions – produce urine and conserve water. But their functionality reduces the older you get, making it hard for them to minimise water balance in your body, thus leading to dehydration.

Medications

As you grow older, medicines tend to become a part of your life, and some of these medicines have diuretic effects, increasing urine production and water loss.

Reduced Mobility

Elderly people with limited mobility due to arthritis, weakness or an illness might have trouble accessing water on their own, bringing down their water intake frequency. As elders are more vulnerable to dehydration, extra efforts should be made to prevent it.

Elderly Dehydration: Signs & Symptoms

Each body is unique, and so are their requirements – so, if you are to keep track of your hydration or help elderly people ensure adequate water intake, you should also be able to identify the symptoms of elderly dehydration. Here are some basic symptoms of dehydration –

Dry Throat and Mouth

Dry mouth and throat are among the foremost symptoms of dehydration. The lower the water intake, the lesser the saliva production, leading to a thirsty feeling throughout the day.

Reduce Urine Input

Reducing bathroom breaks in a day can be a sign of dehydration in seniors or anyone in general. Also, if the urine changes to yellow or amber, one is dealing with dehydration.

Confusion

The brain requires a certain amount of water to function well and if it doesn’t receive the required amount, it can hamper its functioning. The result would be memory lapses, a sense of confusion or communication problems.

Excessive Fatigue

Poor water intake can lead to a drastic drop in your energy levels, leading to feelings of fatigue, overall inactivity and a disinterest in any kind of physical activity.

Dizziness and Lightheadedness

Dehydration negatively affects blood volume – it could cause a fall in blood pressure and make anyone feel extremely dizzy or lightheaded. This is a grave concern for older adults, as it could lead to falls or accidents.

Dry Skin

One easily noticeable sign of dehydration is dry and flaky skin, as water helps maintain your skin’s elasticity. You can do a quick check by gently pinching the skin at the back of your hand – if your skin doesn’t come to its normal position immediately, you might be dehydrated.

Headache & Constipation

Frequent headaches, especially at the front or back of the head, can be a symptom of dehydration. Also, lack of water can slow down your digestion and lead to constipation.

Rapid Heart Rate

Severe dehydration can lead to rapid heart rate or palpitations, as when there is a lack of water in your body, your heart has to work harder to pump blood.

Being aware of these symptoms of elderly dehydration and tracking them early on can go a long way in preventing it from escalating into a grave health concern. At Matrix Health Care, our support workers keep track of all such symptoms and help prevent dehydration.

What are the Best Ways to Prevent Dehydration in the Elderly?

Prevention is always better than cure – it’s always wise to be aware of the symptoms of elderly dehydration, but more than that, one should be versed in ways to prevent it. Here are a few basic and everyday but practical tips to avoid hydration in the elderly –
  • Beyond drinking water when thirsty, encourage and monitor regular fluid intake.
  • Add water-rich foods like watermelon, cucumber, lettuce, etc., to your daily diet.
  • Set a clear intake routine, like after meals, waking up, etc.
  • Ensure access to a variety of fluids other than water, like herbal tea, electrolyte drinks, etc.
  • Adapt fluid intake as per changing environments. For instance, during summer, water intake is increased by a considerable amount.
  • Limit drinks containing caffeine and alcohol as it leads to excessive fluid loss.

Proper hydration is one of the critical factors in maintaining optimum health. If ignored, it can lead to several problems in the elderly, like electrolyte imbalances, kidney problems, lower blood pressure, etc. So, make sure you are both aware of elderly dehydration – signs & symptoms and are employing diverse ways to prevent dehydration.

At Matrix Health Care, we target the overall well-being of those who place their trust in us. Apart from offering enhanced disability support, we also focus on minor fronts and help the NDIS Melbourne participants reach their optimum health. Connect with us to know how we can support you and your loved ones in your/their disability journey.

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