Dehydration affects people of all ages, including seniors. Some signs of dehydration are easier to detect compared to others. When it goes untreated, dehydration can lead to pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and even death. Here are some of the signs your senior loved one might be dehydrated.
Rapid Heart Rate
Seniors who lose too much fluid and fail to consume enough water-based foods may experience dehydration, which leads to heart palpitations. Older adults may also experience dry mouth, depending on the severity of dehydration. The lack of fluids could cause the heart to beat in a disorganized manner. If your loved one’s heart rate is beating too fast or too slow, he or she may be dehydrated. It’s best to provide fluids immediately and take your loved one to the doctor for a checkup.
Older adults who need help attending their doctor’s appointments should consider professional in-home care. Home care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.
Confusion
Dehydration is one of the many reasons seniors become disoriented. Lack of fluids could cause your loved one to become exhausted, irritated, and uneasy. Mild cases of dehydration can be treated by drinking water, and failing to treat this issue could lead to severe health concerns, such as being comatose.
Difficulty Walking
When seniors experience muscle cramps, it becomes difficult to walk around. The muscle cramps could be due to dehydration, especially when walking in hot temperatures. The heat puts more pressure on the muscles, causing them to cramp up. To prevent dehydration, your loved one should drink water and other healthy fluids, even when he or she isn’t thirsty. Keep a glass of water near your loved one’s bed, next to his or her favorite chair, or within arm’s reach at all times.
Hiring a professional caregiver is one of the best ways to ensure your loved one stays healthy and hydrated. For some families, caring for a senior loved one can be overwhelming at times. Luckily, they can rely on professional respite care. Reston, VA, Assisting Hands Home Care is a trusted name in respite and hourly care. Our caregivers are available around the clock to assist seniors with bathing, transportation, medication reminders, exercise, and much more, allowing families the time they need to focus on other important responsibilities or just take a break.
Dark Urine
An aging adult’s urine should be fairly light colored. When seniors have dark urine, a higher concentration of minerals is being flushed out of the body. The more dehydrated your loved one is, the more contaminated his or her urine will be. When seniors are dehydrated, their stool may also be black in color.
Low Blood Pressure
Monitor your loved one’s blood pressure on a regular basis to determine when it experiences a drop. Your loved one may be dehydrated if he or she is unable to produce tears or sweat. The eyes can become sunken in due to a drop in blood pressure, and you’ll need to take your loved one to the doctor immediately to ensure your loved one’s body gets the fluids it needs. If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Reston families can trust. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia. Rely on the professionals at Assisting Hands Home Care to provide high-quality compassionate care for your loved one. Give us a call today to learn about our flexible in-home care plans.
