Dehydration is extremely dangerous to senior citizens, yet it is something that many people don’t pay a lot of attention to. Having an understanding of just how dangerous it actually is can help you to take better preventative measures for an elderly loved one. For example, when someone is dehydrated and they suffer a stroke, the effects are often much worse than if they had been well hydrated. A recent study discovered that stroke patients had far better outcomes when they were better hydrated, suffering from fewer complications and they had a better chance of a full recovery, too. Those who were dehydrated were four times more likely to have worsening conditions as they attempted to recover from their stroke. Scientists aren’t yet 100 percent sure why this is the case, but it’s pretty clear that it does happen, and that it’s something that has the potential to be easily avoided.
This is just one example of why hydration is so vital, especially as we get older. If you can help an older family member to avoid this, you definitely should. Some people have concerns about drinking water, and if that’s the case, things like sports drinks can easily replace water. They contain electrolytes and will allow you to retain levels of hydration for longer. Avoid things like alcohol and caffeinated drinks for even better results.
Staying hydrated is very easy, yet it’s so often overlooked. There are many reasons for this, but they can be summed up into a few simple categories. One, people forget to drink water. Two, people avoid it because they don’t like water. Three, people avoid it on purpose because of the increased need to use the bathroom. And four, medical issues make hydration more difficult. All of these can be alleviated in severity if the right approach is used.
An in-home caregiver can help with all of these things. They can keep a steady supply of liquids coming throughout the day, they can help supply things to drink other than water, such as Gatorade or Pediasure, they can assist with using the toilet, and they can help to make sure that medical issues are compensated for as much as possible.
Having enough liquids in your body help with things other than stroke, of course. It helps your body to clear waste out more efficiently, recover from and better prevent illnesses, and it can help with things like arthritis, too. When things like dementia are involved, remembering to drink water or any other liquid can be tough, and having someone to help out with this, such as a professional caregiver, can ease a lot of the burden as well as improving health along the way. By being proactive about this, you are doing your loved one a favor. Even if they are not at high risk of having a stroke, there are still other health factors that will be improved, and this is never a bad thing. And if you already have a caregiver for your loved one, this is something that can be implemented immediately with no extra effort.
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