Water makes up nearly the entire human body, yet many seniors do not receive enough of it. Dehydration is more common in senior citizens because the body becomes less responsive to thirst as it ages. It might be challenging to detect dehydration in a senior, so ensure your elderly loved one is drinking a minimum of eight glasses of water every day. Keep a look out for the following dehydration symptoms.
Dark Urine
If you’re not with your seniors every day or not living with them, this one can be uncomfortable to keep track of. If your senior is living on their own, it is time to hire home care assistance which can help keep an eye on this or just talk to a senior about it. Urine color is a good predictor of a senior’s overall hydration state. Your loved one is receiving enough water if there is a clear or light yellow tint. However, he or she is not if there is a bright yellow or dark yellow color. Due to dehydration, emergency care may be needed if it has a dark yellow, almost brown tint. You could also notice that your loved one isn’t using the restroom as often as he or she used to.
Look At How Dry Their Skin Is
Dehydration causes dehydrated skin because the body attempts to save water reserves. It may become chilly to the touch and seem pallid. Because of dryness in the skin surrounding the eyes, the eyes may seem sunken. Softly press the skin on the back of their hands. Normally, the skin smooths back out. The skin will remain rigid if dehydration has affected your loved one. Dehydrated seniors often do not sweat, even while engaging in strenuous activities.
They May Be More Achy and Crampy
No portion of the body can operate correctly if it does not have adequate water. Muscle cramps occur at random times in response to dehydration. Dehydrated elders typically complain of headaches as a result of muscular cramping and nerve problems. These headaches are typically severe and generate a throbbing feeling behind the eyes. If your senior is feeling crampy, home care assistance may be able to help them become more comfortable when cramps or headaches occur.
They May Become Fatigued
Because the brain cannot operate properly when it is dehydrated, seniors who are often dehydrated will not have ideal cognitive performance. In lesser circumstances, this may indicate that your loved one isn’t performing at his or her best, but in more severe cases, your loved one may behave as if he or she has dementia. Some elders may get irritated, but others may become drowsy and disoriented.
In Extreme Cases, They May Faint
Dehydrated seniors may feel dizzy and sleepy, and some may even lose consciousness. Often associated with consciousness loss, dehydrated seniors may be seeing black patches in front of the eyes or have a limited field of vision. If your loved one exhibits any of these signs, ensure that he or she sits down to avoid a fall. If your loved one suffers from dizziness, get medical attention immediately.