Most seniors are at least a little bit dehydrated most of the time. When seniors live independently they often don’t drink enough water to stay hydrated. Your senior mom or dad may not drink water because they don’t like the taste of plain water. Or, they may forget to drink water because they have a lowered sense of thirst. If your mom or dad has senior home care services, one of the things that a senior home care provider does for seniors is remind them to drink throughout the day.
Medication side effects and conditions like Alzheimer’s can make it harder for your mom or dad to know when they are thirsty. So they don’t drink water, and they get dehydrated. Your senior parent will have a better chance of not being dehydrated if they have senior home care. Dehydration can make existing medical problems worse and cause new ones.
If you’re not sure whether or not your mom or dad is dehydrated here are some ways to tell:
1. Check Their Skin
A quick skin test can help you determine if your mom or dad is suffering from dehydration. Gently pinch the skin on the back of their hand, then let go.
In a well-hydrated person, the skin will snap back quickly. If it stays “tented” or returns to normal slowly, this may mean they are dehydrated. Skin elasticity lessens with age, so it’s normal for your mom or dad’s skin to not snap back as easily as yours, but it can still be a sign of dehydration.
2. Look at Their Urine
Urine color can be a strong indicator of hydration. Clear or light-yellow urine usually means a person is well-hydrated. Dark yellow or amber-colored urine is a sign of dehydration. Also, notice how often your senior parent goes to the bathroom. Less frequent urination can mean their body isn’t getting enough fluids. Encourage them to drink more water if their urine is dark or they’re urinating less.
3. Monitor for Dry Mouth and Cracked Lips
A dry mouth and cracked lips are common signs of dehydration. Ask if their mouth feels dry or sticky, or if swallowing feels tough. Look at your mom or dad’s lips—dry, cracked, or peeling lips often show that they need more water. Sometimes, they may feel a constant thirst or a scratchy feeling in their throat.
4. Watch for Fatigue and Dizziness
Dehydration can make people feel tired and weak. If your mom or dad seems more tired than usual or struggles to stay awake, it could be because they’re dehydrated.
Dizziness is another key symptom. Seniors may feel light-headed when they stand up too quickly. If they look wobbly or report dizziness, make sure they sit down and drink some water. Fatigue and dizziness can also lead to falls, so take it seriously if your mom or dad says they feel dizzy.
5. Observe Their Mood and Behavior
Dehydration can affect the brain. When the body lacks water, it can cause confusion, irritability, or sudden mood swings. If your senior parent seems forgetful or unusually grumpy, it could be due to dehydration. Confusion is common in dehydration, especially among older adults. For example, they may mix up names or forget recent events. If they seem out of sorts, dehydration might be the cause.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Senior Home Care Services in Red Bank, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Expert Home Care today at (732) 937-5320.
Providing exceptional live-in home care in New Jersey, including Monroe Township, Edison, New Brunswick, Red Bank, Lakewood, Princeton, Morristown, Flemington, Stockton, Bridgewater, Hillsborough, Montclair, Livingston, Summit, and surrounding communities.
We have been providing Home Health Care to New Jersey families since 1985, and have grown to become one of the largest licensed providers of Live-In Home Care in the upper New Jersey area. Our many years of New Jersey home care experience has produced a company that over 8,000 clients have come to rely on confidently, for help.
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