Hydration Awareness: Staying Well-Hydrated in Summer

Warmer temperatures and sunnier days often bring with them the itch to get outside and enjoy the beautiful days ahead. However, it’s often too easy to forget to hydrate throughout the day and put yourself in danger of heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Seniors especially must keep hydration as their top priority, but integrating a few water breaks into your day can be easier than you might think. 

The Importance of Hydration For Seniors

Many people struggle with hydration, not just seniors. However, several different factors can affect how much hydration your body needs. Body weight, dietary needs, exercise habits, climate, and medical conditions all dictate how much you should drink daily. 

Hydration is an important topic for seniors due to the challenges age can introduce into the equation. For example, your sense of thirst diminishes with age, so it’s easy to think that if you don’t feel thirsty, your body has enough hydration. In addition, emotions surrounding incontinence can also drive seniors to restrict fluids for fear of having an accident. Medical conditions and medications can also make it harder to stay hydrated. 

Visiting Angels of SE-OKC recognizes the challenges many of us face in staying hydrated. Our care staff appreciate the chance to support seniors in their hydration habits and ward off the effects of scorching temperatures this summer. It’s one of many ways we support local seniors in their life journeys. 

Hydration Tips For Seniors

There are plenty of places to explore in Shawnee and Midwest City this summer, like the John Conrad Regional Golf Course, Lake Stanley Draper, or the Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge. Viewing the multitude of plants at the Myriad Botanical Gardens or enjoying the great outdoors at the Martin Park Nature Center can connect you with nature and provide a sense of comfort and ease. Wherever you visit this summer, ensure quenching your thirst makes its way onto the itinerary a few times. 

If you struggle to drink enough water during the day, incorporate hydration into your visit with the following tips: 

• Vary what liquids you consume to make things more interesting. Instead of water, try new flavors of sparkling water, fruit juice, and other warm or cold liquids. 
• Educate yourself about what fluids help your body hydrate and which actually draw moisture from your body. 
• If plain water isn’t satisfactory, try adding lemon for a more pleasant taste. 
• Place water bottles nearby when doing activities to promote hydration. 
• Introduce hydrating foods into your diet, including apples, tomatoes, salad, jello, cucumbers, and blueberries. 
• Purchase hydrating drinks that support other dietary needs, such as Pedialyte. 

One of the main ways to ensure you or an aging loved one stays hydrated is to consciously make it a priority and habit throughout the day. Drinking a full glass of water when taking medications helps support hydration among seniors. Tallying up how many ounces or glasses of water (or other liquids) and making a game out of it can also make it more fun. 

Helping Seniors Hydrate: Visiting Angels of SE-OKC

Although Oklahoma may not see the high sweltering temperatures of other states nationwide, seniors are still at risk of dehydration and additional medical concerns. Visiting Angels of SE-OKC caregivers are by your side, ensuring you, your spouse, or your aging loved one receives the hydration they need to stay happy and healthy. If you’d like to learn more about how our care staff supports local southeast Oklahoma City seniors, contact us for a free consultation. We look forward to hearing from you!