Water and Older
Adults
Hy d r a ti o n
Water is well known for its
revitalising properties. Yet even
though it is essential to health,
it frequently gets overlooked as
one of the six basic nutrients,
along with carbohydrates, fats,
vitamins, proteins and minerals.
This can result in vulnerable
individuals missing out on the
support and guidance they need
to help maintain a healthy level
of hydration.
Older people are a diverse
group with individual needs,
desires, and aspirations, which
include maintaining their own
health and fitness.
As we get older our body’s
needs and health concerns
change due to an increasing
susceptibility to degenerative
disease.
Water can make a valuable
contribution to health in old age
Yvonne McMeel ANutr
Registered Associate Nutritionist
www.mcmeel.co.uk
[email protected]
Wellbeing Centre and Longmead Centre
Sefton Road
Epsom, Surrey
KT19 9HG
01372 727583
Information sourced from Royal College of Nursing and AGE UK
The
importance
of water
Why is water
so important
Pressure
Ulcers
Dehydration
reduces the padding over bony
points. Fluid intake to correct
impaired hydration increases levels
of tissue oxygen and enhances ulcer
healing.
Constipation Dehydration is one of
the most frequent causes of
constipation, which is common in
older people due to poor mobility,
low fibre intake, poor fluid intake
and impaired colonic activity. Eating
more wholegrain bread and cereals
and fruit and vegetables will help
along with increasing fluid intake to
a minimum of 8 cups per day.
Urinary tract infections and
continence
Water
helps
to
maintain a healthy urinary tract and
kidneys and is important in the
prevention of urinary tract infection.
Kidney and gallstones Good
hydration can reduce the risk of
kidney stone formation as it dilutes
urine and helps to prevent
crystallization of stone-forming salts.
Consumption of water at regular
intervals can also help by diluting
bile and stimulating gallbladder
emptying, which in turn helps
prevent gallstones forming.
Heart disease Adequate hydration
reduces the risk of coronary heart
disease by 46% in men and 59% in
women. It also protects against
blood clot formation by decreasing
blood thickness.
Health Benefits
Low blood pressure Many older
people suffer a drop in blood pressure
on standing, which sometimes causes
them to pass out. Drinking a glass of
water 5 minutes before standing can
help to stabilise blood pressure and
prevent fainting.
Diabetes Water is essential for
controlling diabetes as dehydration can
make the condition worse. Individuals
who do not manage their diabetes well
are at a greater risk of dehydration due
to a high urine output. Good hydration
also helps maintain healthy blood sugar
levels.
Cognitive impairment Symptoms of
mild
dehydration
include
lightheadedness, dizziness, headaches and
tiredness, as well as reduced alertness
and ability to concentrate. Once thirst is
felt, mental function may be affected by
as much as 10%.
Falls Dehydration has been identified
as one of the risk factors for falls in
older people, as it can lead to
deterioration in mental state, and
increase the risk of dizziness and
fainting. Drinking more could be a
simple and effective way of preventing
falls.
Skin Drinking water is a good way to
keep skin healthy and younger-looking.
The skin acts as a water reservoir and
participates in fluid regulation for the
whole body. Mild dehydration causes
skin to appear flushed, dry and loose,
with a loss of elasticity.
Are you drinking
enough?
The colour chart is a simple tool
you can use to assess if you are
drinking enough throughout the
day to stay hydrated.
If you urine matches the colours
numbered 1, 2, or 3 you are
hydrated.
If your urine matches the colours
numbered 4 through to 8 you are
dehydrated and need to drink more
fluid.