How to prevent dehydration

What Steps Can Be Taken To Prevent Dehydration?

Fluid intake is key. Families and caregivers need to be cognizant about risks and plan ahead to make sure aging loved ones are properly hydrated. Here are some tips to help encourage fluid consumption and reduce the risk of elderly dehydration:

  1. Offer fluids on a regular basis throughout the day.
  2. Encourage 8 oz. of fluid intake every time the senior takes medication.
  3. Keep water bottles and/or a water cooler available throughout the day wherever the senior is (for example, in bed, on the patio, throughout the house or at the senior living community).
  4. Provide favorite “mocktail” concoctions (see below for some great recipes) or your senior’s favorite beverages (make sure they’re not caffeinated or alcoholic).

Tasty Recipes To Keep Your Elderly Loved Ones Hydrated

Strawberries and Coconut Water

Elderly Hydration: Strawberries and Coconut Water

Ingredients

To make 2 Strawberry Mocktails combine:

  • 1 cup (250ml) of fresh coconut water
  • 1 cup (250 ml) strawberries hulled and sliced
  • 3 T of sugar syrup or agave nectar

Directions

  1. To make the sugar syrup, boil sugar and water together in a ratio of 1:3 sugar to water until it thickens to a runny syrup consistency. Store in a jar for all future cocktail making.
  2. Measure 1 cup of coconut water, either directly from a cut-open coconut or from a store-bought container (if you are lucky enough to live in an area that sells fresh coconut water in a bottle).
  3. Combine the strawberries and sugar syrup  and blend with a blender to desired consistency.
  4. Serve with ice.
Get more information on making this delicious strawberries and coconut drink.

Cucumber Lemonade with Basil

Combating Elderly Dehydration: Cucumber Lemonade With BasilIngredients

To make 3 to 4 Cucumber Lemonade treats combine:

  • 1 English cucumber
  • 3 C water
  • 3 lemons
  • 2 T sugar
  • 1 small bunch basil
  • 1 C soda water

Directions

  1. Start by cutting your cucumber in half. Peel one half and cut it lengthwise (you can cut it in half again first if need be).
  2. Scoop the seeds out and chop it into pieces.
  3. Put the cucumber pieces in a food processor and puree until smooth.
  4. Put puree in a fine mesh sieve over a container and push with a wooden spoon or spatula, extracting as much liquid as you can from the cucumber puree.
  5. Fill a separate bowl or container with 3 cups water. Squeeze 2 lemons into the water and mix in the sugar.
  6. Pour lemonade and cucumber juice into a pitcher or serving container.  Slice remaining cucumber half (unpeeled) and remaining lemon and add to pitcher. Add basil, too. Refrigerate until chilled.
  7. Serve with ice.

For more great tips, check out A Place for Mom.