Four Reasons Water Intake Matters for Your Senior
Why is water so important for your elderly family member? It keeps her body working as well as it possibly can. As your senior’s caregiver, you may not be able to convince her to drink more water just by nagging her, but you may be able to offer her some facts about water intake that change her mind about staying hydrated.
She May Have Fewer Medication Issues
Medications do a lot within your senior’s system. They can cause her to retain water or to have a tougher time holding onto it. Drinking plenty of water with medications, no matter what the side effects are, helps to ensure that the body is able to process the medication and to flush wastes through the appropriate systems. There are reasons that medication instructions include taking the medicine with water rather than other beverages.
Blood Issues Become Less Likely
If your elderly family member is consistently dehydrated, her blood can start to become thicker than it should be. This can increase her blood pressure, because her circulatory system is working harder to keep her blood moving. It can also contribute to other problems, like blood clots, especially if she’s already prone to that sort of issue. Drinking enough water to keep her blood flowing well may even be enough to ensure that your senior doesn’t have to take medications to manage her blood pressure.
Digestive Issues Can Resolve
Proper digestion relies on having the right amount of water to be able to flush wastes through your senior’s system. This is especially important within her bowels. If your elderly family member’s doctor has recommended a fiber supplement to her or an over-the-counter constipation remedy, those often rely on proper water intake to work as intended. Make sure that you understand how much water your elderly family member needs to be drinking.
Her Urinary Tract Health Can Improve
Your senior’s urinary tract system, including her kidneys and her bladder, require water to keep things moving. Wastes come into the kidneys from all over your senior’s body, via her blood. Her kidneys need water to be able to keep those waste products moving through the bladder and out the body. Slowing down on water intake slows that process down, which can cause bacteria to build up and cause an infection.
It’s not just as easy as drinking more water. Your elderly family member can start with an extra glass or two a day, though, and gradually increase her water intake over time.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Caregiver Services in Dublin GA please contact the caring staff at Angels of Mercy Private Homecare Services, Inc. today at 478-745-5111.
Angels of Mercy Private Homecare has been providing in-home care services since 2002 throughout the Macon and Middle Georgia Area.
Angels of Mercy Private Homecare Services provides in-home care that improves the lives of the clients. Our services help them maintain the highest possible level of independent living. We provide In-home private duty care and care management services for seniors throughout the Middle Georgia area.
Our CNA (certified nursing aides), caregiver, and companion services allow our clients to age in the place where they feel most comfortable and secure - at home. Combine our Home Care Services, with our Geriatric Care Management component, and we provide the most comprehensive assistance for the Middle Georgia areas seniors.
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