All of us, but especially our senior loved ones, need to stay hydrated in the heat of summer.
Spending time in excessive heat can lead to dehydration from fluid loss through sweat.
It’s isn’t just about being thirsty. Becoming dehydrated from summer heat can lead to dangerous conditions for aging seniors (and us too) such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke (also referred to as sunstroke).
Many seniors say that they hate to drink water! This could put them at even greater risk of dehydration when they don’t drink enough water to replace what their bodies need in the heat.
Beating Dehydration
Here are some ideas other than water for cool summertime treats to keep you and your seniors hydrated:
- Lemonade, pink lemonade or try it frozen
- Watermelon cut in cubes
- Popsicles and dreamsicles
- Shaved ice, icee or snowcone
- Homemade ice cream
- Frozen grapes
- Jello, make shapes or cubes to increase the enjoyment!
Try some of these cool summer treats to cool down your senior loved one and keep everyone well hydrated — but don’t forget the water!
Don’t wait until you feel thirsty when you are out in the heat. Drink something at regular intervals throughout the day to stay hydrated!
Additional Resources
Here are some interesting articles that you might find informative about hydration for seniors: