Encourage older people to drink, especially during this heat wave.

I’ve had quite a few telephone calls this morning from Carers and relatives concerned on older people not drinking enough during this hot weather.

People who are dependent on others [and people who have dementia] are at greater risk of an inadequate fluid intake than those who are able to obtain their own fluids.

Here are just a few examples on how you can encourage an individual to drink more:

• Ask the individual what drinks they like
• Place the fresh drink within easy reach of the individual. Ensure s/he can reach it.
• Offer favorite drinks regularly
• Offer drinks in different forms, e.g. ice lollies, soups. [You may say that the weather is too hot for hot soups. Have a warm soup, any liquid is better than nothing].
• Monitor fluid intake

When I mentioned the ice lollies to one carer she said that the client didn’t have any in her freezer. I suggested it get put on the shopping list. Something she had not considered. I then added, could you not pop out to the shop and buy her some? I know a lot of carers across the country and how busy they are but in desperate times like this, I would like to think they could pop out and get an ice lolly.

Signs and symptoms of hydration.

Some examples:

• Confusion
• Disorientation
• Constipation
• Urine infections
• Lethargy
• Poor wound healing
• Loss of skin elasticity
• Sunken eyes
• Sticky lips

If you are a home carer and you find the older person is not drinking: record as you normally would but in this hot weather please inform your office so they will, hopefully, ask another carer to go in shortly to try and encourage the individual to drink. Especially if the individual is not due to see another carer for a few hours.

I hope the carers have bottles of water with them and look after themselves during this hot weather. They do a great job looking after others, lets hope they remember to look after themselves as well.