June 2014
AllHealth Home Care
ELDERLY DEHYDRATION
Watching for signs of illness in a loved one can be challenging. Some illnesses show
up quite clearly, while others have a more subtle effect on daily living. Dehydration,
depending on the severity, sometimes creates only small telltale signs while having a
big effect on the body, especially in the elderly.
Dehydration occurs when a person loses more water than they take in. It takes an
adequate amount of fluid for the body to function properly; for example, to regulate
Special Dates
in June:
body temperature through sweating, maintain blood pressure, and eliminate bodily
waste. If severe enough, dehydration can lead to confusion, weakness, urinary tract
infections, pneumonia, bedsores in bed-ridden patients, or even death. In general, a
 June 6th~ National
Doughnut Day
human can survive for only about four days without any fluids.
 June 14th~ National
Flag Day
Elderly dehydration is especially common for a number of reasons: some
 June 15th~ Father’s Day
medications may cause patients to sweat more; a person's sense of thirst becomes
 June 18th~ Go Fishing
Day
less acute as they age; frail seniors have a harder time getting up to get a drink when
 June 21st~ First Day of
Summer
we age our bodies lose kidney function and are less able to conserve fluid (this is
medications, such as for high blood pressure or anti-depressants, are diuretic; some
they're thirsty, or they rely on caregivers who can't sense that they need fluids; and as
progressive from around the age of 50, but becomes more acute and noticeable over
the age of 70). Illness, especially one that causes vomiting and/or diarrhea, also can
cause elderly dehydration.
"Everybody has a normal state of body water that relates to their weight. Anything
below that (normal state) is dehydration; everything above it is hyperhydration," Dr.
Larry Kenney, professor of physiology and kinesiology at Penn State University,
explains.
That normal level of hydration varies widely from person to person. Contrary to the
mantra that everyone should drink eight glasses of water every day, Kenney says
there is nothing scientific to back that up. "People misinterpreted that to be, it had to
be liquid and it had to be water," he says.
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A person's diet can greatly affect hydration levels: fruits (especially watermelon),
vegetables, and soups are mostly water-based. "Day in, day out, a lot of people get
their water from foods, as well as behavioral attitudes towards food," Kenney
explains. "For instance, when we walk by a water fountain, we tend to take a drink,
and we tend to drink when we eat."
Kenney also takes issue with the idea of not drinking caffeinated beverages because
they're dehydrating. He says the amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee or tea is
relatively small, and it's made of mostly water anyway, so it will hydrate you to some
degree. The same holds true for beer, he says, but there is a point at which the
diuretic effect of caffeine and alcohol kicks in, so moderation is always the key.
In general, larger people need to drink more water, as do athletes and those who
perspire heavily, but that may mean more or less than eight glasses a day. "There is
no one-size-fits-all remedy," he says.
Instead, he recommends monitoring body weight to keep track of hydration levels. To
monitor body weight, one should be weighed every morning. If they've lost two
pounds or more from the day before, and especially if they feel thirsty or have a
headache, they're probably dehydrated.
Mild dehydration is defined as losing 2 percent of your body weight. Severe
dehydration occurs with 4 percent or greater body weight loss. Even mild dehydration
can affect a person's health, especially if he already has cardiac or renal problems.
"We have measured in the lab cognitive impairment," he says. "With severe
dehydration, it puts a greater strain on the heart. Think of a pump trying to pump with
less fluid. That would be one of the primary problems."
Kenney says an active 65-year-old who exercises probably doesn't need to weigh
herself every day, but a 75-year-old in a nursing home who has had issues with
dehydration in the past or has had cardiac issues, should be weighed every day.
But, don't rely on scales that also claim to measure hydration levels and body mass
index. "Their accuracy is very poor; we can't use them even for research purposes,"
Kenney says.
Complicating matters is that signs of dehydration in younger people don't always
show up in the elderly. For example, if a young person was extremely dehydrated, his
skin may be wrinkled or sagging. But, that certainly wouldn't be noticed in most cases
of elderly dehydration.
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Perhaps because of that delay in diagnosis, elderly dehydration is a frequent cause of
hospitalization (one of the ten most frequent admitting diagnoses for Medicare
hospitalizations, according to the Health Care Financing Administration), and it can be
life-threatening if severe enough.
Other signs of dehydration to look for: confusion, problems with walking or falling,
dizziness or headaches, dry or sticky mouth and tongue, sunken eyes, inability to
sweat or produce tears, rapid heart rate, low blood pressure or blood pressure drops
when changing from lying to standing, and constipation or decrease in urine output.
Also check for a decrease in skin turgor-pull up the skin on the back of the hand for a
few seconds; if it does not return to normal within a few seconds, the person is
dehydrated.
To help make sure your loved one doesn't suffer from elderly dehydration, make sure
he or she consumes an adequate amount of fluids during the day; eats healthy, water
-content foods such as fruit, vegetables and soups; checks that urine color is light and
output adequate (dark urine or infrequency of urination is a classic sign of
dehydration).
Seniors also need to be educated to drink even when they're not thirsty. Keeping a
water bottle next to the bed or their favorite chair could help, especially if they have
mobility issues.
If your loved one is in a nursing home or other care facility, make sure that the staff
has a hydration program in place, including assisting residents with drinking, offering a
variety of beverages (remember, taste buds change with age, so a beverage they
used to enjoy may no longer taste right), and providing drinks not only at mealtimes
but in between meals. Also make sure that they monitor residents' weight and assess
them if their physical condition or mental state changes. If dehydration is an issue and
your loved one takes laxatives or diuretics, speak to his or her doctor about changing
medication.
As with most illnesses, prevention is the key. Making sure your loved one stays
hydrated now is much easier than treating him or her for dehydration later.
June 2014
Page 4
LIFE LESSONS FROM A 90-YEAR-OLD WOMAN

Burn the candles; use the nice sheets; wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a
special occasion. Today is special.

Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all
about.

When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
HAPPY FATHERS DAY!
Nurturing Body, Mind and Spirit
Rest a little easier by getting the
care services that you need.
A L L H E A LT H
HOME CARE
LICENSED IN ND & MN
Phone: 701-365-0414
E-mail:
[email protected]
We’re on the web!
Allhealthhomecarend.com
AllHealth Home Care is a
Qualified Service Provider in
North Dakota.
CHECK US OUT ON
FACEBOOK!
Get the aid and comfort you need
Enjoy full support for yourself or a loved one
with AllHealth Home Care's comprehensive respite
care, including meal preparation, medication
monitoring, and more. Whatever your needs, or your
loved one's needs, our caring team members are here to
help.
A mission that matters
AllHealth Home Care is dedicated to providing the best
in-home care services to its clients and community. Our
team members want everyone to enjoy a high quality of
life, regardless of their age, diseases, or disabilities.
Get the most out of each day
As the years go by, your day-to-day life will change, and
it's part of AllHealth Home Care's mission to help you
embrace those changes and get the most out of each
day. If you or a loved one could benefit from one of our
services please contact us.
UPCOMING FOOT CARE CLINICS
Olivet~ 2nd Monday of each month, beginning at 9:30 am, call Brenda at 701-235-6603 for
an appointment.
Hjemkomst~ 2nd Tuesday of each month, beginning at 9:30 am, call Julie at 218-299-5515
for an appointment.
Casselwood Retirement Living in Casselton~ June 12th, beginning at 9:00 am, call Jackie
at 701-347-5631 for an appointment.
Pioneer House Assisted Living for Seniors, Fargo~ June 3rd at 9:00 am, call Missy at
701-271-1801 for an appointment.
July 2014
AllHealth Home Care
14 Signs Your Elderly Parent May
Be Unsafe Living Alone
It can be difficult to tell the difference between normal, age-related decline and
something more serious. According to Alan Gruber, M.D., a psychiatrist with a
private practice in Massachusetts, there are several ways a loved one can tell if an
elderly relative is losing his or her independence. Here are some things to look for:
Special Dates
in July:
 July 4th~
Independence Day
 July 11th~ Cheer Up
the Lonely Day
 July 20th~ National
Ice Cream Day
1. Missed appointments: Failing to meet a friend or doctor without cancelling in
advance may be a sign of declining health.
2. Maintaining hygiene: Pay attention to body odor, grooming, incontinence and
dressing according to the season.
3. Easily disoriented: A failure to recognize familiar spaces, wandering, or getting
lost in well-known areas are early signs of Alzheimer’s Disease.
4. Loss of memory: Forgetting something at the store is a sign of “benign” memory
loss; forgetting something at the store and not remembering that you did when
someone reminds you of it is “malignant,” or pathological memory impairment and
bears a closer look.
5. Word problems: Not being able to recall a common word for something, or
repeating oneself can be a symptom of dementia or mental illness.
6. Random check-writing: Sending money to previously unknown “charities” or
other out-of-the-blue expenditures can signal an inability to exercise appropriate
judgment.
7. Physical aggression: A senior who attacks others because they are believed to
pose a threat shows an inability to control feelings of distress.
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Page 2
8. Making inaccurate assertions: Signs of dementia may include “psychotic
ideation,” in which clearly untrue statements are made, such as “They’re talking
about me on T.V.,” or “I saw three men in my bedroom last night.”
9. Unopened mail: Watch for unpaid bills or other neglected household duties.
10. Spoiled food: Food left unrefrigerated or kept around long after it’s “sell by”
date can indicate mental instability.
11. Poor Nutrition: Pay attention to weight loss, loss of appetite or unwillingness
to cook for themselves.
12. Scorched pans: These may indicate the inability to cook safely, and could pose a
bigger fire hazard.
13. Mystery bruises: Unexplained injuries are likely to be signs of falling.
14. Car damage: Look for dents and scrapes that cannot be explained or
recalled. Be sure to drive with your family member to determine whether or not he
or she is safe behind the wheel.
Best Moments In Life
1. Falling in love.
2. Laughing till your stomach hurts.
3. Enjoying a ride down the Country side.
4. Listening to your favorite song on the radio.
5. Going to sleep listening to the rain pouring outside.
6. Getting out of the shower and wrapping yourself with a warm, fuzzy towel.
7. Passing your final exams with good grades.
8. Being part of an interesting conversation.
9. Finding some money in some old pants.
10. Laughing at yourself.
11. Sharing a wonderful dinner with all your friends.
12. Laughing without a reason.
13. "Accidentally" hearing someone say something good about you.
14. Watching the sunset.
15. Listening to a song that reminds you of an important person in your life.
16. Receiving or giving your first kiss.
17. Feeling this movement in your body when seeing this "special" someone.
18. Having a great time with your friends.
19. Seeing the one you love happy.
20. Wearing the shirt of a person you love and smelling his/her perfume.
21. Visiting an old friend of yours and remembering great memories.
22. Hearing someone telling you "I LOVE YOU"
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Page 3
BUTTER IS IN THE NEWS AGAIN!
Margarine was originally manufactured to fatten turkeys. When it killed the turkeys, the people who
had put all the money into the research wanted a payback so they put their heads together to figure
out what to do with this product to get their money back.
It was a white substance with no food appeal so they added the yellow coloring and sold it to people
to use in place of butter. How do you like it? They have come out with some clever new flavorings…
DO YOU KNOW.. The difference between margarine and butter?
Read on to the end…it gets very interesting!

Both have the same amount of calories.

Butter is slightly higher in saturated fats at 8 grams; compared to 5 grams for margarine.

Eating margarine can increase heart disease in women by 53% over eating the same amount of
butter, according to a recent Harvard Medical Study.

Eating butter increases the absorption of many other nutrients in other foods.

Butter has many nutritional benefits where margarine has a few and only because they are
added!

Butter tastes much better than margarine and it can enhance the flavors of other foods.

Butter has been around for centuries where margarine has been around for less than 100 years.
And now, for Margarine..

Very High in Trans fatty acids.

Triples risk of coronary heart disease.

Increases total cholesterol and LDL (this is the bad cholesterol) and lowers HDL cholesterol,
(the good cholesterol).

Increases the risk of cancers up to five times.

Lowers quality of breast milk.

Decreases immune response.

Decreases insulin response.
And here's the most disturbing fact…. HERE IS THE PART THAT IS VERY INTERESTING!

Margarine is but ONE MOLECULE away from being PLASTIC… and shares 27 ingredients
with PAINT
July 2014
Page 4
These facts alone were enough to have me avoiding margarine for life and anything else that is
hydrogenated (this means hydrogen is added, changing the molecular structure of the substance).
You can try this yourself:
Purchase a tub of margarine and leave it open in your garage or shaded area. Within a couple of days
you will notice a couple of things:

no flies, not even those pesky fruit flies will go near it (that should tell you something)

it does not rot or smell differently because it has no nutritional value;

nothing will grow on it. Even those teeny weeny microorganisms will not a find a home to grow.
Why? Because it is nearly plastic.
Would you melt your Tupperware and spread that on your toast?
PATRIOTIC LAYERED DRINK
Yields 6 servings
INGREDIENTS:

1 (2-Liter) diet Sprite or diet 7UP

1 bottle cranberry juice (not diet)

1 (32-ounce) bottle berry blue or any blue colored Gatorade

6 tall glasses

Ice Cubes
DIRECTIONS:

Fill the glasses with ice cubes.

Pour the cranberry juice into a glass, filling it just less than halfway full. Repeat with remaining
5 glasses.

Very slowly pour the blue Gatorade over the ice cubes so that it layers onto the cranberry juice.

Once all glasses are filled with the cranberry juice and Gatorade, top each glass off with diet 7UP
or diet Sprite. Best if served immediately.
Nurturing Body, Mind and Spirit
Rest a little easier by getting the
care services that you need.
A L L H E A LT H
HOME CARE
LICENSED IN ND & MN
Phone: 701-365-0414
E-mail:
[email protected]
We’re on the web!
Allhealthhomecarend.com
AllHealth Home Care is a
Qualified Service Provider in
North Dakota.
CHECK US OUT ON
FACEBOOK!
Get the aid and comfort you need
Enjoy full support for yourself or a loved one
with AllHealth Home Care's comprehensive respite
care, including meal preparation, medication
monitoring, and more. Whatever your needs, or your
loved one's needs, our caring team members are here to
help.
A mission that matters
AllHealth Home Care is dedicated to providing the best
in-home care services to its clients and community. Our
team members want everyone to enjoy a high quality of
life, regardless of their age, diseases, or disabilities.
Get the most out of each day
As the years go by, your day-to-day life will change, and
it's part of AllHealth Home Care's mission to help you
embrace those changes and get the most out of each
day. If you or a loved one could benefit from one of our
services please contact us.
UPCOMING FOOT CARE CLINICS
Olivet Lutheran Church~ 2nd Monday of each month, beginning at 9:30 am, call Brenda at
701-235-6603 for an appointment.
Hjemkomst Center~ 2nd Tuesday of each month, beginning at 9:30 am, call Julie at
218-299-5515 for an appointment.
Casselwood Retirement Living in Casselton~ July 23rd, beginning at 9:00 am, call Jackie
at 701-347-5631 for an appointment.
Pioneer House Assisted Living for Seniors, Fargo~ July 9th at 9:00 am, call Missy at
701-271-1801 for an appointment.