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Dementia
Alzheimer's

Why Dehydration is Dangerous for Dementia and How to Prevent It

John Trevey on Jul 28, 2023
How fast does Alzehimer's progress - Bader House Georgetown and Plano
Table of Contents
  1. Dehydration and Dementia?
  2. Why Hydration Matters
  3. Older Adults and Dehydration
  4. Signs of Dehydration and Dementia
  5. How to Stay Hydrated with Dementia
  6. Pet Hydration

Dehydration and Dementia?

We’ve all heard it countless times:

Hydration is important.

Drink eight glasses of water a day.

Our bodies are made up of 70% water.

Although we know hydration is important, how many of us actually get the adequate amount of water we need each day? How many of us make hydration a priority? How many of us truly understand why hydration matters?

Probably not many of us. While hydration is important for everyone; it’s especially important for older adults. And it’s crucially important for those who are living with dementia.

Bader House Thank you Card from Maury, daughter of patient P. Lawson

Why Hydration Matters

Hydration has numerous benefits for our physical health. It keeps our organs functioning properly, our cells nourished, our joints lubricated, and it regulates our body temperature.

But we often forget that physical health includes brain health, which hydration is essential for. Our brains contain a large amount of water and need proper hydration to function correctly. If we’re dehydrated, our brains have to work harder to operate. For an older adult, this can significantly impair cognitive function. A lack of hydration can affect short-term and long-term memory, and it can cause brain fog, anger and depression.

Researchers continue to study dehydration and its effects on the brain. While it has not been proven that chronic dehydration can cause dementia, as this article states, “it is clear that dehydrated cells are associated with brain dysfunction.” This is why hydration matters so much for someone who is already experiencing cognitive decline.

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Older Adults and Dehydration

Older adults are at a higher risk for dehydration based on their changing body composition. As you age, you lose muscle. Muscle contains much more water than fat, so a decrease in muscle is a decrease in water being stored in the body.

In addition, thirst cues change as you age. Older adults are not as sensitive to their own thirst, so they may not realize how much water they need or recognize their own thirst.

For older adults who are living with dementia, dehydration is an even greater risk due to cognitive decline, which can cause them to…

  • forget to drink.
  • not be able to express to a caregiver when they are thirsty.
  • lose track of time and think they recently had a drink, when really, it’s been several hours.
Is Alzheimer's Disease Hereditary - Bader House Memory Care - Georgetown, Plano
  • not be able to hold certain types of cups or glasses due to a loss of dexterity.
  • be afraid to drink because of incontinence issues.

Signs of Dehydration and Dementia

Dehydration is one of the main reasons older adults, especially those with dementia or Alzheimer’s, end up in the emergency room. It can get unmanageable quickly, causing a host of other health concerns, such as urinary tract infections, confusion, severe fatigue, anger, depression, and low blood pressure—all of which can exacerbate dementia symptoms. This is why it’s important for caretakers to know the signs of dehydration and intervene as quickly as possible.

Signs your loved one may be dehydrated include:

  • Increased confusion
  • Agitation
  • Weakness
  • Leg or arm cramping
  • Weight loss (Two percent weight loss indicates mild dehydration. Five percent indicates severe dehydration.)
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Changes in urine color
  • Infrequent urination

If you notice any of these signs in your loved one, call your medical provider right away.

How to Stay Hydrated with Dementia

Caregivers, you probably know how important hydration is for your loved one, but you also know how difficult it can be to get your loved one to drink throughout the day. They may not think they need to drink, they may be struggling with one of the risk factors we listed above, or they may simply be exercising the little control they have left, which is resisting their caregivers.

If you’re struggling to keep your loved one hydrated, neuropsychologist and the founder of Careblazers Dr. Natali Edmonds has several tips for caregivers on how to keep their loved ones drinking throughout the day:

1. Model proper hydration yourself.

dehydration and dementia - Bader House Memory Care - Plano, TX

You don’t have to have dementia to forget to drink water. If you are consistently drinking throughout the day, your loved one will notice and may be more willing to participate.

2. Pay attention to what type of glass or cup they’re using.

dehydration and dementia - Bader House Memory Care - Plano, TX

Is it too heavy for them? Or, if they have tremors, is it too light? Do they need a straw? Are they having a hard time seeing a clear glass and need a colored one instead? Do they need a lid to prevent spilling? Something as simple as the cup they are using can make all the difference.

3. Offer a variety of drink choices.

Jelly Drops - a method for hydration for those with dementia - Bader House Memory Care - Plano, TX

Water is not the only hydrating beverage. You could offer decaffeinated teas, natural juices, or water with electrolyte tablets or flavoring. You can also food as a hydration supplement. Many fruits and vegetables such as cucumber and watermelon have a high water content.

If you’re loved one has a sweet tooth, you can also try jelly drops (https://www.jellydrops.us/), a type of gummy “candy” that is sugar-free and made up of 95% water. These have recently become popular among dementia and Alzheimer’s communities not as a liquid replacement but as a hydration supplement.

Hydration is not only important for our bodies; it’s important for our brains. For someone who is living with dementia, hydration is essential. Talk to your doctor if you think your loved one is exhibiting any symptoms of dehydration, so you can intervene now before it’s too late and develop a strategy to keep your loved one adequately hydrated throughout the day.

Pet Hydration

Also, don’t forget about your pets. They need clean fresh water too. Pets need constant access to a clean and adequate supply of water. The water should be changed at least once but preferably twice a day. We also recommend having two or more water bowls. Keep your pet’s bowls full and use larger bowls that hold an adequate amount of fresh water. It’s also important to keep your pet’s water bowl clean.

Pet hydration - Bader House Memory Care of Plano, Texas
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Covid Information

Continuing an Environment of Caring in Times of COVID-19


Safety of Residents and Staff

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to evolve, our communities are focused on keeping our Residents and staff safe while also maintaining Resident engagement and daily fulfillment. We are taking a cautious approach, balancing the highest level of safety within the least restrictive environment.

We will continue to follow and augment State and C.D.C. safety recommendations:

Screening: We screen every employee every day. We require our staff to complete a questionnaire (inquiring about possible symptoms, recent travel and exposure), have their temperature and oxygen level checked before entering the building. Staff are also required to clean their cell phones, keys and wash their hands while being observed. We monitor our Residents’ health closely with temperature and oxygen level checks at least twice a day. We help our Residents wash their hands throughout the day and encourage them to wear a mask or face covering.

Cleaning: We have enhanced our cleaning products with regard for their effectiveness in killing COVID-19 particles and proper sanitization and disinfection, using the EPA’s specific list of disinfectants for use against the coronavirus. We are using this list and training staff on how long cleaning solutions must be kept on a surface before wiping it off to ensure its effectiveness. We prioritize cleaning high-touch areas and horizontal surfaces, cleaning them several times a day.

Physical Distancing: We encourage 6 foot distancing between Residents and with staff unless they are providing direct care to a Resident.

Testing: We test all Residents and staff for COVID-19 every three weeks, and more as needed. Our nurses utilize a PCR test, which we send to a private lab to expedite results.

Physical Changes: We have installed ultraviolet lights in our air conditioners that supply air to the common areas of the houses. This method is believed to be helpful in killing bacteria that is cycled through the systems and pushed back into the house. We’ve also enhanced our HVAC filters to near HEPA levels, trying to add additional layers of protection to keep COVID-19 out of the building. Most importantly, air purifiers have been added to common areas and each resident room.

PPE: Staff members wear masks at all times and we encourage Residents to wear masks when outside their rooms. We also encourage physical distancing between our Residents. Staff wears additional protective equipment when deemed necessary while caring for our Residents. Staff are continually trained on when and how to use personal protective equipment (PPE).

Individual Needs Stay Paramount

The uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 affects us all. At our communities, we are not letting it stop us from safely offering a life well-lived. Above all, we are providing the utmost attention to the safety and well-being of our Residents. Our Program has always revolved around the individualized needs of each Resident and this has not changed during COVID-19. Residents are still able to connect with each other and staff while maintaining a safe physical distance. Weather permitting, we enjoy the patio and large backyard. We continue to keep our Residents engaged through cognitive, physical, recreational experiences. We offer enjoyment and connection throughout the day even during these unprecedented times.

Visitors

Since early March we have restricted facility access to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Essential Visitors: Healthcare providers including physicians, home health, private duty services, physical therapy and hospice staff have not been allowed in the communities unless there is an acute, essential need for our Residents. These services continue as needed through FaceTime, tele-med and phone conversations. If physical access is absolutely necessary, the individual will complete our questionnaire and screening for temperature and oxygen stats. No one is allowed in the community if they fail to meet our screening criteria.

Families: We are happy to help schedule window visits, FaceTime, Zoom and phone calls with your loved ones based on what is allowed and prudent. To ensure the proper support from our staff, our visits are scheduled ahead of time.

Tours and Move-Ins

Tours: We recognize that regardless of the changes with COVID-19, your need for senior living hasn’t changed. For the safety of you, our Residents and staff, we are currently offering virtual tours where you can see our community, as well as meet our staff. Please contact our Community Relations Director to set up a virtual tour.

Move-Ins: We are accepting a limited number of move-ins (unless otherwise instructed by public health department). New Residents must be tested for COVID-19 prior to move-in. Upon admission, we will place a new resident in their room to quarantine as an additional precaution.

We will share community-specific information with residents and families as our quarantine measures continue to evolve with new information of COVID-19.

We are honored to care for your family member and loved one.

 

Comments we’ve received from our families during COVID-19.

“We appreciate all of your efforts. Your team clearly is a leader in the response to COVID. Thank you for keeping our loved ones safe.”

Joseph

“Thank you, thank you, thank you for ALL you have done and are doing to keep the residents and staff in a safe environment! The continuous learning and improvements empower caregivers and families to do better at home and in our communities.”

Tommy

“I appreciate you taking the time to update us and share them with my family living in AL, GA, VA, MD, FL…we are extremely grateful and comforted by your proactive and decisive measures! We’ll continue to keep you in prayer for health, safety and more.”

Rebecca

“In keeping with the parade theme you had, the employees there are super heroes. They are plowing forward in the midst of this horrible virus and taking care of their patients selflessly. I just wanted to acknowledge their bravery and dedication and thank them from the bottom of my heart for the goodness in their hearts and their dedication to their patients and jobs.”

Abigail

“Thank you! You locked down early & your diligence has paid well.

The Bader support group continues meeting once a month by Zoom. We all appreciate you so much. Everyone comments on how grateful we are that our parents are at Bader House!

We appreciate everything: sending us pictures, calls, alerts to bring supplies/clothes as needed, staying in virtual contact with hospice.
Blessings to each of you.”

Marsha

“Thank you for all y’all and all the staff are doing for my mom and the other residents. We truly appreciate your hard work.”

Carol

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