We recently got a notice from one of our tai chi friends about seniors not getting enough water to drink and the harm it can do if you don't.
I looked on WebMD just to verify why it's extra important for people over 60 to get the liquids their bodies need.
Apparently, not getting enough water can cause these difficulties:
Memory Problems
Poor concentration
Slow reaction times
Feeling extra tired
Weakness
Pressure sores
Skin conditions
Urinary tract infections
Kidney Problems
Constipation
WebMD also recommends older people to drink between 6-8 glasses of fluids a day.
I looked online and they said 1 cup is about 8 ozs. Therefore it's between 48 to 64 ozs.
My brother recommended using this juice container so I've added water to it, put it on her table and told mom (who is even more forgetful than me) to try to drink as much of this throughout the day as she can.
She says she'll try to remember.
POSTSCRIPT:
Would you believe Mom has been religiously drinking most of that water? She’s drinking more water than we do. And she does seem to have more energy than I do. As for memory...Hmmm...
It’s probably not great that most of my fluid intake has caffeine attached. Lol
ReplyDeleteA month after my 58th birthday I had an operation on my left kidney, it was blocked due to kidney stones. I still deal with them on the right, they're always a good reminder you got to drink more water!
ReplyDeleteYour mom is a role model!
ReplyDeleteI found out a long time ago just how important water is. If you are thirsty, you are all ready dehydrated. I keep a 16 oz tumbler full of water by my computer and hit it all day. I fill it several times a day plus have one handy when I watch TV. Kind of like the stuff.
ReplyDeleteI love water now that I've discovered some tasty water enhancers. I'm sure I was marginally dehydrated throughout my teaching career due to my distance from the bathroom and my reluctance to leave 35+ teenagers alone in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteI am not a great water drinker and need to get with it.
ReplyDeleteKay, I know it is important to drink water, but I do find it hard to drink over 16 oz (2- 8oz bottles) in a day. I can't seem to put much into my stomach at one time. But I am usually thirsty during the night and do keep a bottle by my bedside and drink off and on during the night. I will try putting a bottle at strategic places during the day. Maybe that would help me increase my intake. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteNice reminder Kay!
ReplyDeleteI've had so many patients tell me they don't drink water right before going to bed so they won't get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Then they realize that they get up anyway.
My bladder is smaller than normal, per the doc when I had some kidney stones. He told me NOT to drink 8 cups of water a day. The stones were checked, and made of calcium, so I DON'T take extra calcium beyond my vitamins. My bone density has always been above normal, so they're ok.
I DO drink at least three 500ml bottles of water. I refill my FIJI water bottles and keep them in the fridge.
Being dizzy is also a sign of dehydration. I was dizzy after nursing school finals and the night before the graduation ceremony. ER labs said I was dehydrated. So much for not drinking enough around all of that studying.
Low blood pressure and it's dizziness is also created by dehydration. Many patients just needed to drink (or get an IV infusion of fluids) to increase their blood pressure. The body is tricky sometimes.
(Yes, I'm sure someone will tell me that I'll die from reusing FIJI water bottles. Better than some other ways I think.) Linda in Kansas
I’m one of those who used to avoid drinking water after 6:00 PM, but I find now that I am drinking more at night for some reason because I’m suddenly thirsty. Ah well.. I’m trying. (Kay)
DeleteWe drink a lot of water. It is important, and yet you folks are pretty healthy! I think you are doing OK!
ReplyDeleteI make an effort to drink water throughout the day. Tom thinks one swallow is a drink. :-/
ReplyDeletealways a new solution-water sounds like the wonder drug...lol. I carry around a mug of ice water most of the year to sip at and during the night...
ReplyDeleteAggravation! I'm testing my comment box again and it's doing this crazy Anonymous thing. I'm so glad some of you were able to get through. I wish Blogger would fix this problem.
ReplyDeleteOH NUTS! This comment was from me, Kay.
DeleteI particularly keep a refillable bottle at my bedside during the night.
ReplyDeleteI do not drink enough water. I try to force myself to drink more, but I get busy and I forget. At the end of the day, it suddenly occurs to me that I have not drunk enough water, and so I gulp down 20 oz. Yay for me! Except that I am up multiple times a night to pee.
ReplyDeleteI have always been guilty of going short on water even when someone is constantly reminding me.
ReplyDeleteI think I drink enough water, since it seems I always have to pee and get up at least twice during the night. There is never a shortage of liquid. It's a good reminder, much of my intake comes from tea and coffee.
ReplyDeleteI am pretty sure I do not drink enough water althoug I am aware of the need to do so. Whenever anyone complains to me about an ailment, I say "drink more water."
ReplyDeleteThat's a great solution to keep Mom on track! I try to drink water, and probably get through three or four glasses a day.
ReplyDeleteI've read that as we get older we don't sense our thirst as well. So we have to drink even tho we don't feel thirsty. I've been trying but it's hard to remember. If only beer counted!
ReplyDeleteI only drink one bottle of water a day. I know that's not enough but I just can't drink more.
ReplyDeleteI definitely forget too often
ReplyDeleteHi, just stopping by as I am trying to get back into blogging again and saw your profile from a friend's page. My husband and I are newly retired I saw on your profile you liked to travel. This is our first year so it's fun. I agree drinking water is important I feel better if I do
ReplyDeleteI do keep a water bottle close by and enjoy regular sips throughout the day ...
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Hello Cheryl! Welcome back to blogging. I'm very pleased to meet you.
ReplyDeleteHad a very bad experience with sun poisoning and dehydration when sailing from Marina del Rey to Catalina Island (and return) at age 17 (1968-ish). I was one sick puppy for about two weeks. :-( No idea why, had done it at least a dozen times in the preceding five years. ┐( ∵ )┌
ReplyDeleteThis was pre-bottled water, so I learned always to carry a very uncool, one-quart Thermos of fresh water in my car. And a one-gallon Thermos when I went sailing.
It's much easier these days with water bottles! I use a 20-oz insulated coffee/tea travel mug, as I like ice cold water. It works well! :-)
We carry a thermos with us too. It gets very warm here in Hawaii and I really prefer cold water. Wow! Sun poisoning? I guess that could easily happen here in Hawaii too.
DeleteYes, I keep water nearby and drink all day.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this important reminder. Kay
ReplyDelete