Hydration in seniors: Maintaining daily well-being to live better

Hydration in seniors: how to maximize their well-being with age?

With increasing age, many factors contribute to dehydration; it's one of the most common metabolic disorders encountered in nursing homes and retirement homes. It can have disastrous consequences and is one of the top 10 causes of hospitalization among the elderly, which can, in some cases, lead to death.

The 2003 heatwave is an example of the seriousness of this phenomenon: more than 15,000 deaths among elderly people due to the heatwave in France, it is therefore important to know how to recognize the clinical and biological signs of dehydration in the elderly and how to overcome this problem.

The importance of hydration for health

The human body is composed of approximately 60% water, meaning that 60% of our body mass is represented by water molecules. This is essential for the proper functioning of the body: the maintenance of several essential functions such as: Brain function, regulation of body temperature (thermoregulation), digestion, intestinal transit, maintenance of healthy skin and proper functioning of joints, production of bodily fluids, such as tears and saliva, elimination of waste and toxins and finally the maintenance of immune functions.

As you will have understood, good hydration is essential to stay healthy.

This is all the more evident when we see the consequences of dehydration which lead to numerous symptoms of dehydration on our well-being; headaches, cerebral and muscular fatigue, irritability... In addition, dehydration slows down the metabolism and the immune system, hence the importance of maintaining a good level of hydration on a daily basis.

Why do hydration needs increase with age?

Physiological changes of age

Physiological changes occur during aging and one of the first consequences is the reduction of water reserves. We note that with age, the body loses approximately 15% of its water content. We therefore have fewer reserves to fight against dehydration. Paradoxically, we tend to hydrate less with age, which can be explained by:

• The gradual loss of the sensation of thirst over the years, which sometimes leads to a disgust for water, inevitably leads to dehydration.

• Natural cognitive declines (neurological disorders, immobilization syndrome) make access to drinks more complicated.

• Kidney function becomes increasingly diminished (even leading to kidney failure), which leads to incontinence problems because the kidneys lose their ability to concentrate urine and retain water. The consequence is that despite the decrease in body water and water intake in the elderly, the urine will eliminate just as much water as when the water intake was higher.

• Fear of drinking : Incontinence problems or choking frequently encountered with age also lead some elderly people to drink less to avoid these problems.

What are the pathologies and situations that can promote dehydration?

First up are digestive losses : episodes of diarrhea and vomiting are pathologies whose first consequences are dehydration. This must be addressed quickly, as water and electrolyte losses can be significant. In addition, the loss of minerals (electrolytes) makes water absorption difficult. In these situations of electrolyte deficit, rehydration solutions (ORS) are recommended to facilitate the assimilation of liquids. Hydratis 50+ is recommended for people aged 50 and over during a period of dehydration.

Skin loss : a sneaky cause of dehydration that most frequently occurs during extreme heat (heat waves) in the elderly. Indeed, during heat waves, profuse sweating and heat stroke are more frequent, and they also lead to significant water loss.

In both situations, rapid intervention is necessary because severe dehydration can occur within a few hours, especially in this fragile population (seniors and infants).

Drugs that promote dehydration: the diuretic effect of drugs

The final factor to consider when it comes to dehydration in the elderly is medication. This population is often on multiple medications, and some active ingredients have a mechanism of action that can worsen dehydration.

Among these drugs we find:

· Medications for high blood pressure such as diuretics and ACE inhibitors often prescribed for seniors.

· Drugs that can disrupt kidney function : NSAIDs, Aspirin, ACE inhibitors, sulfonamide antibiotics, etc.

· Drugs that disrupt thermoregulation and sweating mechanisms .

· Drugs that can cause hyperthermia : neuroleptics, antimigraine drugs, etc.

Please note, if you have any questions regarding the diuretic properties of certain medications, ask your doctor for advice.

How to ensure you are well hydrated?

As you will have understood, over time we can no longer rely on thirst as the first sign of dehydration, but there are simple parameters to monitor to ensure that we are well hydrated.

The simplest and most reliable parameter to check is the color of the urine: the darker the urine, the less diluted it is and this is a sign of dehydration.

It is also advisable to know the signs of moderate dehydration, which are easy to correct in order to remedy it as quickly as possible and prevent it from getting worse. These signs are:

Weight loss of less than 10% of body weight

• Dry mucous membranes

• A depressed fontanelle

• Dark circles around the eyes.

• Cold extremities.

How to promote hydration with age: Tips

Consume foods rich in water

We tend to forget that food contributes significantly to our hydration, but with a varied and balanced diet, the foods we eat can provide us with up to a liter of water per day. Consuming foods rich in water, especially during periods of intense heat, is one way to reduce the risk of dehydration.

Among the foods richest in water we find first of all fruits and vegetables such as: tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, zucchini, apples, watermelons and melons… The list is long and many recipes can be made to boost your hydration!

Meat also contains a lot of water, provided it is fresh or raw, because heat causes it to evaporate. For example, fresh chicken and raw meats contain between 60 and 65% water.

Consume hydrating drinks

It's recommended to drink about 1.5 liters of water a day, but plain water can quickly become boring. To reach your daily goal, you can consume different types of drinks, such as herbal teas, fresh homemade fruit juices, smoothies, and vegetable broths. Skimmed milk is also a good alternative as a hydrating drink.

Caution : It's best to avoid alcohol, tea, coffee, soda, and other sugary drinks: these beverages have diuretic or indirectly dehydrating effects. Replacing tea and coffee with herbal tea is a tip for reducing their consumption.

Hydratis 50+ rehydration solution

For effective and tasty rehydration throughout the day, it is possible to consume isotonic drinks: their composition of mineral salts and electrolytes promotes the assimilation of water. Hydration is therefore more effective than with conventional drinks.

Hydratis 50+ is the first rehydration solution designed for seniors, both for prevention and for the treatment of dehydration. It allows for faster fluid absorption and is adapted to the physiological constraints of older adults. It also helps support your metabolism, supports the nervous system, promotes muscle recovery, supports the immune system, is an antioxidant, reduces physical and mental fatigue, and helps aid digestion.

The elderly are particularly vulnerable to dehydration due to the physiological changes induced by age.

But physiological changes due to age can have other, equally serious consequences: with age, many people suffer from swallowing disorders that result in choking. These are not to be taken lightly because the resulting airway obstruction is an emergency requiring rapid and precise first aid. To learn more, please read our article on choking.