Spotting signs of dehydration in the elderly and 10 ways to improve eating habits of a loved one

Ahead of Nutrition and Hydration Week on 13-19 March 2017, award-winning home care provider, SweetTree, explains how to manage hydration and nutrition issues for the elderly. Dehydration can be an issue for the elderly. According to research conducted at the University of East Anglia, one in five people living in care homes are not drinking enough fluid. Even mild dehydration can increase the risk of falls, confusion, pressure ulcers and urinary tract infections. It’s also widely known that elder people may struggle to consume a balanced diet as appetite can decrease with age.

Staying hydrated helps to promote wellbeing, concentration and mental focus and also helps to prevent illness. It can be harder to stay hydrated as we get older. As we age, the water content in our bodies decreases, along with our thirst. According to the British Nutrition Foundation, older people are vulnerable to dehydration, partly because age changes result in a reduced sensation of thirst. Our kidneys assist with fluid regulation but their function deteriorates as we age, which means the body’s normal response to dehydration may be impaired.

SweetTree reveals some possible signs of dehydration to watch for when caring for an elderly person:

• Confusion – The person may seem confused and disorientated as well as suffering from dizziness, problems with balance and difficulty walking

• Skin that won’t bounce back – gently lift the skin on the back of the person’s hand up and hold it for a few seconds, then let go. If it doesn’t bounce back within seconds, it’s a sign of dehydration

• Trouble going to the toilet – if the person isn’t urinating as much as usual, they could be dehydrated. Urine should be a pale colour.

Encourage the person to sip water at regular intervals and if they have mobility problems, make sure they always have access to water or other hydrating drinks like fruit juice.

10 ways to improve nutrition habits of the elderly

Nutrition is also a key part of health and wellbeing, but it can be a challenge to ensure an older person is eating a balanced diet. Appetite can decrease with

age, a person may lack the motivation to prepare healthy meals or they may be unable to eat larger meals.

• Assist with food preparation – if the person is unwell or feeling tired, prepare meals in advance or help with food preparation. Meals On Wheels can be a good solution if available in your area – ask the local council if they can help

• Check food is being stored properly – if the person has dementia they may forget to throw out of date food away or fail to store food in the appropriate place. Meat and dairy products may be stored in a cupboard rather than the fridge or may be left uncovered. Freezer foods may not be in the freezer. Check fridges and cupboards regularly to ensure there are no issues like this and no out of date foods that could cause stomach problems.

• Avoid distractions at mealtimes – if the person is eating in a noisy environment, like a busy care home or somewhere where there’s loud music or lots of people around, they may stop eating and let meals go cold. Try to sit them in a quiet space and encourage them to focus on their food.

• Make sure the person can see their food – if the person has reduced visibility they may need help with eating. Sight issues can occur in a person with dementia, as the brain has to process what we see – guide them with eating where necessary. Use crockery that’s easy to see. Avoid a white plate on a white tablecloth for instance.

• Check food temperatures – make sure food isn’t too hot or too cold and at a safe temperature before they eat

• Look for signs of swallowing problems – if the person has dementia or they have been ill they may struggle to swallow, which can affect their inclination to eat. Indicators of problems swallowing include grimacing when eating, repeated clearing of the throat or coughing or large movements of the jaw when eating. Speak to their GP if you are concerned this is an issue

• Cut up food if they are struggling with cutlery – make it easy for them to eat and encourage them to eat with their fingers if they prefer. Remove taboos about having to use cutlery and eat in a certain way and make them feel it’s OK to eat how they want to

• Serve smaller meals more often – if a person is struggling to eat large meals then consider giving them more frequent smaller meals throughout the day. This is less daunting for them than a large plate piled high with food

• Look for marked loss of appetite – if the person suddenly loses their appetite or you notice more and more food is being left on the plate, seek medical help from the person’s GP. It may be that some form of physical activity if possible like a walk earlier in the day could help to increase appetite, but don’t leave it unchecked

• Make sure their fridge is well stocked – if you are only able to visit the person occasionally, make sure they always have access to fresh groceries. Using an online delivery service to deliver essentials like bread, cheese, milk and other easy-to-prepare foods is a good option.

About SweetTree

SweetTree Home Care Services is an award-winning business providing the highest quality care and support for individuals in the home. With a compassionate, highly trained team of experienced carers, SweetTree delivers outstanding domiciliary care spanning a wide range of needs from basic through to more complex requirements. Areas of expertise include dementia care, learning disabilities, acquired brain injuries, neurological conditions and end-of-life support. The company has been twice recognised in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work for in the UK and an Investor’s In People Gold Award Winner. For more information, visit http://www.sweettree.co.uk