Q. I’m writing because I am very concerned about my mother-in-law. She lives alone in an apartment and frequently forgets to drink water. She recently celebrated her ninetieth birthday and is somewhat frail. My husband and I live nearby, however, we aren’t able to support her as we would prefer due to the COVID pandemic and her pride. She has had several UTIs over the past few years. I’m concerned she might get another UTI if she doesn’t stay hydrated, which could result in hospitalization. Do you have any tips to help us encourage her to stay hydrated while allowing us to keep her dignity intact?
A. You are right to be concerned about your mother-in-law’s health as she struggles to stay hydrated. Older adults are more susceptible to dehydration for several reasons. For one, their thirst response diminishes with age. This results in dehydration because they don’t recognize that they are thirsty. Other risk factors include decreased kidney functioning and an overall decline in body fluid reserves. Dehydration can also be a side effect of many medications that are prescribed to older adults. It’s very critical that older adults make a conscious effort to ensure they are drinking enough water.
I would suggest having a conversation with her primary care physician to discuss your concerns. The age-old advice of eight glasses of water may be a reasonable goal for most older adults, some may need more, and others may need less. Discuss an appropriate water goal for your mother-in-law with her primary care physician. Depending on her level of activity, environment, health, and medications, her doctor may suggest more or less than the age-old advice. Be sure to include your mother-in-law in the conversation and ask permission to speak with her doctor as you seek to respect her dignity.
Then, devise a plan to help your mother-in-law meet her hydration goals. Purchase reusable water bottles that she can place throughout her apartment to help remind her to drink water. Many older adults can be overwhelmed by the larger water bottles, so purchase bottles that hold less fluid.
If she doesn’t drink water because it’s boring, consider flavored waters. There are numerous brands on the market, so purchase a couple of each until she finds something she really likes. You can also make infused water using fresh fruits and vegetables. Homemade infused waters can last up to one week in the refrigerator. Mix a batch to deliver to her apartment, then instruct her to refill the jar once it is empty.
Don’t forget about teas, fruits, and vegetables. Herbal teas aren’t likely to dehydrate older adults and can be a great way to stay hydrated during the cold, winter months. Encourage your mother-in-law to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, such as cucumbers, celery, strawberries, apples, watermelon, and pineapple. She can even make smoothies using fruit, yogurt, ice, fruit juice, or water. This is also a great way to encourage more nutrition in older adults.
Finally, encourage your mother-in-law to post reminders to help her stay hydrated. You can even make signs for her to tape on the wall. Use brightly colored paper and large-print fonts. Remind her that water is essential for her health and she is essential to your family.
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