With summer approaching, you and your loved one are probably excited to enjoy the sunny skies and beautiful beaches. And while summer is a beautiful season, it can also increase the risk of dehydration. This is especially true for those in their golden years as they do not get thirsty as fast compared to someone younger. Not to worry, here are 6 tips to keep your loved one hydrated in summer.
Place Water in Close Proximity
One way you can get your loved ones to stay hydrated? It’s simple, place more water close to them. After all, if there is water consistently near them, they are more likely to drink the water due to the convenience and constant visual reminder. For instance, you can have a lightweight pitcher of water and a cup near their favorite spot. If they have mobility concerns, provide them with a refillable water bottle and keep it near their bed or chair.
Experiment with Different Sources of Fluids
Remember, there are many different types of fluids, and your loved one should not just be limited to water. If they do not enjoy drinking plain water, you can experiment with varying fluids. For instance, you can try putting some fruit in it. Berries, lemons, and limes are excellent flavorings for water. In addition, cucumbers and mint are two other ingredients that might aid with flavor and encourage your loved one to drink the tasty water. Try adding coconut water to these combos to really shake things up.
Avoid Certain Fluids
While different sources of fluids are a good idea to provide variation and taste to your loved one, they should be wary of certain types of fluids. Specifically, they need to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugary drink. This is because these beverages can hasten the process of dehydration.
Wear Breathable Materials
While this is a less known tip, wearing breathable materials is actually an excellent way to encourage your loved ones to stay hydrated. This is because breathable materials, such as cotton and linen fabrics allow your loved one’s body to sweat and breathe more freely. And when this happens, they will be more inclined to drink more water. On the other hand, polyester-based materials, rayon, and jeans should all be avoided.
Understand Their Medicines
Another great tip to keep your loved one hydrated? You need to manage and understand their medications. This is because some drugs, such as diuretics, might make them dehydrate much more quickly than usual. Therefore, keep track of the drugs that your loved ones are taking so you can adjust their hydration intake as needed. At the same time, you can also consult their doctors for more recommendations or assistance in regard to this.
Experiment with Different Temperatures
Experimenting with different temperatures of water is key to keeping your loved one hydrated. After all, everyone has different preferences for how their drinks should be. Your loved one may prefer hot drinks to cold drinks, or vice versa. Experiment to determine which type they like. Warming juices, creating decaf iced coffee with cream, or adding basic soda water to make tea or juice effervescent are all options. Why is this effective? This is because they are more willing to drink if it is the temperature they like.
