Keeping Seniors Hydrated During the Dog Days of Summer

With summer in full swing, the issue of proper hydration is an important one to consider as you care for your loved one. Whether you offer around the clock support to your senior or you have a home care professional assist with your elderly loved one's senior care, Always Best Care Asheville-Hendersonville knows that it is crucial that your loved one gets enough water to keep them healthy during the summer months.

Many people are dehydrated and they are completely unaware of the fact, as few individuals who are not consciously drinking water during the day get the full eight cups that are recommended. For seniors, it can be quite easy to forget to drink water or to grab a more convenient beverage, such as a soda or juice out of the refrigerator, if there is no cold drinking water available. To help you keep your elderly loved one hydrated as temperatures continue to soar, keep the following tips in mind.

1. Always make sure that your senior has cold drinking water on hand. Water filtration systems that are imbedded in the front door of the refrigerator are fantastic resources. If your senior doesn't have access to this form of water filtration, invest in a pitcher with a filter in the top. The pitcher can be stored in the refrigerator so the water is always cold and it only takes a minute or so to filter the water, making it easy to access clean, refreshing drinking water at any time. 
2. Buy your loved one a water bottle that they can carry around with them. This way they can have drinking water available when they are out and about or even when they are just sitting on the couch, as this is a convenient way to carry around enough H2O for seniors to stay hydrated. 
3. Create a system for your senior to track their water intake. Some water bottles have counters built in, allowing individuals to keep up with the number of cups they have had each day. If this isn't an option, put a piece of masking tape on the bottle and have your senior make a tick mark for every time they refill it. 

Staying hydrated is key to staying healthy during the summer months. With these tips, you should be able to help your senior drink enough water to keep their bodies functioning effectively.