Causes of refusal to eat and drink may include physiologic changes associated with aging, mental disorders including dementia and depression, medical, social, and environmental factors.
Choose foods with high water content.
If you have trouble drinking fluids, try including water-rich foods with every meal. These include cucumbers, watermelon, lettuce, strawberries, tomatoes and celery. Soups, broths and stews are also a good way to boost your fluid intake, especially in the colder weather.
Common complications associated with dehydration also include low blood pressure, weakness, dizziness and increased risk of falls. Poorly hydrated individuals are more likely to develop pressure sores and skin conditions. Water helps to keep the urinary tract and kidneys healthy.
Reduced sense of thirst
The natural aging process weakens the body's ability to signal it does not have enough fluid. This means older adults don't feel as thirsty as younger people do, and they may not realize they need to drink water.
You should aim for 6 to 8 glasses of fluid a day. Here are some simple tips for making sure you reach your goal and get enough water. Sip on drinks throughout the day. Get a reusable water bottle with a straw and fill it with plain water.
Absence of thirst may be due to: Birth defects of the brain. Bronchial tumor that causes syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) Hydrocephalus.
Adipsia is a disease characterized by the absence of thirst even in the presence of body water depletion or salt excess. It is a rare condition that typically presents as hypernatremic dehydration. The cause is usually a hypothalamic lesion, which can be congenital or acquired.
A reduction in appetite is one sign that someone may be in the last days of their life. They may no longer wish to eat or drink anything. This could be because they find the effort of eating or drinking to be too much. But it may also be because they have little or no need or desire for food or drink.
The recommended daily water intake is at least one cup of water for every 20 pounds of weight. If living in a warm climate, seniors might perspire and need more water. Exercise also increases the need for water as does medications and health conditions.
A person can go three days without water. This can be affected by a person's water needs and how they use it.
According to the Reynolds Institute on Aging, Seniors should aim for 6 to 8 glasses of fluid a day, or approximately 1.5 liters. Have your senior sip on water throughout the day. Sometimes using a straw is easier and leads to more water consumption. Offer a full glass of water when they take medications.
For example, diabetes, physical exhaustion, and mental disorders may all prevent you from feeling thirsty when your body needs water. If you are diagnosed with any of these chronic conditions or another disease, your doctor or physician should inform you about the potential for dehydration without feeling thirst.
Excessive thirst and increased urination are common diabetes signs and symptoms.
Thirst isn't always a reliable early indicator of the body's need for water. Many people, particularly older adults, don't feel thirsty until they're already dehydrated. That's why it's important to increase water intake during hot weather or when you're ill.
“If you don't get enough water, hard stools and constipation could be common side effects, along with abdominal pain and cramps.” Dull skin. Dehydration shows up on your face in the form of dry, ashy skin that seems less radiant, plump and elastic. Fatigue.
Call your health care provider if: Excessive thirst is ongoing and unexplained. Thirst is accompanied by other unexplained symptoms, such as blurry vision or fatigue. You are passing more than 5 quarts (4.73 liters) of urine per day.
A person who is dehydrated may experience cramping in the limbs, or feel generally unwell. They can become irritable and have difficulty sleeping. Symptoms of more severe dehydration include a weak, rapid pulse, faster than usual breathing, severe muscle cramps and contractions, and a bloated stomach.
The Eatwell Guide says we should drink 6 to 8 cups or glasses of fluid a day. Water, lower-fat milk and sugar-free drinks, including tea and coffee, all count.