- Who this episode is for? The aging adult and/or caregiver with wellness concerns.
- Topics covered in this podcast: Aging and hydration tips, summer safety
In this episode, I’ve got a couple stories for you which should frame most of our discussion today. Because we are talking about the importance of hydration. It’s been hot and it continues to be hot. Even if you have A/C you can still get dehydrated – In fact, it’s estimated that between 20% and 30% of older adults are chronically dehydrated.
One such individual – a physically active older adult – was traveling in this weather and started to feel very lethargic – in fact having headaches and trouble just getting out of bed. He finally went to the doctor who shared that he was showing symptoms of dehydration. He increased his fluid intake, (not coffee or tea) water, seltzer and the tiredness went away within days and then back with friends in all the outdoor activities.
Another one of our neighbors from right here in Tennessee was out mowing the lawn – all this rain makes the grass grow – He was out taking 5-minute breaks, sipping water and trying to keep his cool. He ignored some cramping in his arm and really wasn’t sweating much so didn’t pay much attention. Once he finished, he went into the shower and passed out and fell right on his head – required a visit to the hospital and staples to mend the crack in his head.
Dehydration is dangerous no matter what your age, but seniors are at a greater risk for dehydration than other age groups. Dehydration can happen quicker than you think and can cause damage before you have a chance to rehydrate. Learn the signs of dehydration and how you can prevent it from happening to you. On a warm or hot day, without even sensing it, you’re losing a ton of fluid. There are other factors that can put older adults at higher risk. The body’s ability to retain water in blood vessels decreases with age, so fluids are more easily depleted. If you suffer from diabetes or take diuretics, both can contribute to water loss.
I don’t want this to happen to you and that’s why we are focusing on hydration on this episode of Boomer Time. Seems like a simple topic but it’s a surprisingly serious issue and sends lots of people to the hospital especially in weather like we are having right now.
These reminders help, I think especially when its been as hot as its been around here. This is also for those of you caring for a loved one as well. It can be difficult to even recognize dehydration in older adults. They may tell you that they’re not thirsty and it can be especially difficult if there is a dementia diagnosis involved.
Symptoms of long-term dehydration include constipation, dry skin, fatigue, muscle weakness, headaches and possibly things like kidney stones and bladder infections,” UTI’s can lead to falls and confusion and we’ve talked about some of that here as well – see this is all interrelated and that’s why I think its important to talk about these things.
So, obviously — Dehydration happens when you don’t drink enough water. When your body’s water content is too low, it causes damage quickly. Dehydration is especially prevalent on hot days or after vigorous exercise. Mild or moderate dehydration is easy to recover from, but severe dehydration requires immediate medical attention.
As people get older the sensation of thirst changes. This can mean they don’t feel thirsty even though they’re not drinking enough. Someone with dementia may experience similar changes. They may be less able or likely to get themselves a drink.
Signs of dehydration include:
- Thirst – if you feel thirsty you are probably already a bit dehydrated. (6) 8 -ounce glasses a day.
- Feeling unquenchable thirst
- Few or no tears
- Dry, sticky mouth
- Not urinating frequently
- Dark-colored urine
- Unexplained tiredness
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Confusion
Good hydration is helpful in some significant ways as well. Older people don’t necessarily have the same initiative to drink – the signal of thirst can decline, so it may take longer to realize that they are dehydrated. Good hydration can enhance metabolism which otherwise slows down as we age – takes longer at the gym to burn that fat.
Good hydration boosts brain function as well. Your brain is made up of a lot of water – soaking in fluid in there, right? Elderly people are at a higher risk of dehydration due to physiological changes that occur as we age. Many conditions and increased physical or mental frailty also complicate the issue.
The body is made up of around 60% water which helps the brain and body to function effectively.
It’s crucial that we know how much fluid we need to stay healthy, which drinks are best for us, and why our fluid requirements may change in later life.
Drinking the right amount of water regulates our body temperature, gets nutrients to our cells, lubricates our joints and keeps our organs healthy. As such, carers and family members need to be aware of the common risk factors and consequences of dehydration, and how to recognize the signs.
It can be harder to remember and we may need reminders – even I need those sometimes and I will set reminders like those – get up walk around, get the blood going, time for a workout, or time for a client to come in. You may try the same when it comes to reminding yourself to stay hydrated:
Here are a few tips for senior hydration (age 60 and over):
- Drink plenty of water. Avoid soda and coffee.
- Set reminders to drink water if you don’t feel thirsty often.
- Choose water, milk, or juice over other beverages.
- Sip on hydrating drinks throughout the day.
- Pay attention to medications and health conditions that may affect fluid needs.
Elder Law News You Can Use
So – here are a few headlines that I wanted to draw your attention to:
- There’s a brand new government report out about aging. Guess why – because we boomers are aging over 65. I’ve talked about it before – the silver tsunami – the system is going to continue to feel more pressure for services and planning needs to start early especially if you want to stay out of a nursing home. There are lots of better options. If you’ve listened for a while this will sound familiar:
- New report out from US Department of Health and Human Services – which looks at 4 areas that are critical in a national plan for aging. More age friendly communities – encouraging health, well-being, engagement and connection with others,. Coordinated housing with supported services – access to housing and opportunities to live independently – not in skilled care. Increased access to long term care – cost on the rise – look at how to make it more affordable
- Finally, prevention….prevention… prevention – maintaining/creating more healthy lifestyles to keep a high quality of and independent life.
- Hmmm… I’ve heard these things somewhere before, right? This is exactly what we talk about here on Boomer Time. I’d say don’t wait on the government – these are things we all need to be working on and building plans for ourselves and our later years.
- Secondly, speaking of the rising cost of long term care – here’s another article just off the presses a few hours ago. “The Rising Cost of Long Term Care”
- Rising Crisis Cost of Long-Term Care: Most specifically surrounds the cost of skilled care. The current average cost of a private room in a nursing home is $108,405.00 per year. That’s not sustainable for most of us. If you cannot afford and are eligible…. look to the government to help with that care. Either way – we are still paying for it in one way or another.
- At any given time, skilled nursing homes across the U.S. house roughly 630,000 older residents and the average age is 77. The primary reason is usually some illness that has made it difficult for them to care for themselves – most common issues involve i.e. dressing, bathing, walking, getting out of bed using the toilet and eating.
- You caregivers out there – I know you’re out there and you are the most common caregivers for loved ones with these issues – 40 percent of you are caring for a spouse or a partner. The other largest percentage, 34 percent of caregivers, are daughters. Not only dedication of time, but also many are putting off careers to be caregivers. National wide survey by the New York Times and KFF which studies health and retirement.
- All that and yet most of us are doing minimal planning, if anything at all. This is how you can help yourself. Just like we talk about here on Boomer Time.
- There is yet another new survey out by Harris Poll asked a group of adults 28 years and older about balancing caregiving options and long term financial situations and it probably won’t surprise you that the majority find themselves sacrificing current and ongoing caregiving obligations for loved ones for their own long term financial stability. Many are borrowing from retirement to pay these costs – 43 percent of those questions are concerned that these caregiving expenses will keep them from retiring. There is long term care insurance which can help – most folks don’t know about this either. Only 1 in 5 people polled have that kind of insurance – 20 percent. Answer – plan be proactive now – financial planning and long-term care planning.
- I want to start talking more specifically about these options. I think that would do us all well to explore these more specifically. Not only do I want to boost better awareness here on Boomer Time, but conversations need to increase as to how we take care of our elderly. That comes from being more aware, educated and prepared.
- Creating Living Options/Back to School for Seniors: Now here’s a creative idea and option. One creative living option that is being discussed for older people are university retirement communities – space that is part of a college or university where you can live on campus, participate in learning, have access to the green space, technology library and resources.
- Now I don’t think they’re suggesting that we move into the frat house or dormitory, but they are looking at accessible options that could be developed with access to university programming. I like that idea. There is a group called “Green House” Project that is looking at these options. So far, they’ve built 400 homes across the U.S. that are private yet have access to outdoors and community. Interesting. I am not otherwise familiar with this group, but I did go to their website and say that they have a project underway in Tennessee – in White Pine. Jefferson and Hamblin County. That’s over by Dandridge. I’ll research this a bit more. Anybody out there familiar with this area or project? If so, reach out to me and I can share more with our community. This is the kind of stuff I think makes for an interesting discussion – options the old model isn’t working and isn’t sustainable in my opinion and our elderly deserve better.
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Facing Financial Ruin as Costs Soar for Elder Care – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
When Medicaid Comes After the Family Home – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
The Green House Effect: Homes for the Elderly to Thrive – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
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