The National Council on Aging (NCOA) notes that 95% of older Americans have some type of chronic health issue. These painful conditions can greatly impact quality of life, but luckily, there are ways to boost senior health and wellness.
Appropriate hydration can keep seniors comfortable and energized despite chronic conditions. Read on to learn:
Staying hydrated is important for anyone. Water gives human beings the energy needed for:
For seniors, this is more important than ever.
Older adults are more at risk of hot flashes. They also tend to get cold more easily because of natural muscle breakdown over the years. Drinking water regulates temperature and ensures senior comfort despite these risks.
Seniors also tend to have decreased kidney function and digestion in general. Drinking more water can keep senior's bodies healthy so they can digest food and retain the nutrients needed to thrive.
Additionally, following the best water practices for elderly people can prevent:
It doesn't just keep your body functioning properly. It stops you from being in pain, too.
There are several factors that contribute to how much water someone should drink, including:
In general, though, seniors should try to drink between 1/3 and half of their body weight in ounces each day.
This means that a senior weighing 150 pounds should drink between 50 and 75 fluid ounces of water each day. If they weigh 200 pounds, they should drink between 67 and 100 ounces of water daily.
If you're a senior, one of the best ways for seniors to stay hydrated is to make water easy to access. Keep a water bottle on hand when enjoying community activities and events.
Make water easy to reach. Small bottles can fit into a pocket or purse. Larger ones can go inside a walker with a seat that opens up.
If you have trouble remembering to drink throughout the day:
Creating a routine surrounding water is also a good idea beyond mealtimes. You can incorporate water into daily activities by:
This forms good habits so you can hydrate without thinking too hard about it!
Water has a crisp and clean taste that almost everyone loves. But if you're bored with the flavor, you can get hydrated in other ways, too!
Flavor water with:
This will add some flavor to your water so you can enjoy variety. Adding something that tastes good to you to your drink encourages you to drink it. You'll have a positive experience that contributes to you craving the drink again in the future.
You also may enjoy water-rich foods like:
Note that eating water-rich foods isn't a substitute for actually drinking water. However, it's a good way to supplement your fluid intake. You'll be able to stay hydrated without as much conscious effort.
A good Pennsylvania senior living community will offer top-notch senior health and wellness programs. These wellness programs:
Part of this is explaining proper hydration to residents. Experts within community walls will give those in wellness programs tips and tricks for remaining hydrated.
They'll also discuss what foods seniors can eat to get more fluids in their diet. This ensures that residents have all the information they need to stay hydrated and healthy.
The best communities also offer restaurant-style dining areas. These gorgeous amenities make mealtimes a social experience to look forward to. When residents spend more time at the table, they're more likely to drink enough water while socializing and waiting for their food!
Senior health and wellness doesn't start and stop with good hydration.
Senior living communities also encourage healthy habits with:
All of these wellness factors work in tandem with good hydration habits. Those who exercise more tend to hydrate more, and better sleep lets your body release hormones that let you retain water. You can reap all of these benefits while learning new ways to stay in shape!
There are also organized activities that contribute to fitness, including:
When residents take part in these activities, they invest in their overall well-being. Knowing the water needs of older adults is just a piece of the puzzle. Hydration acts as part of a holistic health regimen rather than an isolated concern.
Hydration is a critical aspect of senior health and wellness. It's far easier for older adults to regulate water intake when living in a personal care community. From compassionate reminders to wellness programs, there's a lot to explore.
Allegheny Place Personal Care is excited to help Pittsburgh seniors boost their well-being and quality of life.
We offer a wide range of fitness-related calendar events and wellness programs to try, so contact us to schedule a tour!