Good for the elderly
But in most cases, even drinking water or tea will help. Mildly dehydrated older adults will often perk up noticeably after they drink some fluids, usually within 5-10 minutes. Moderate dehydration is often treated with intravenous hydration in urgent care, the emergency room, or even the hospital.
If you are mildly dehydrated, you often will start to feel better within 10 to 15 minutes of drinking water, a sports drink, or juice. For moderate dehydration, you typically will be treated with intravenous hydration in urgent care or the emergency room over the course of a few hours or a day.
6 ways to get seniors to drink more water
You also need to rest to prevent more fluid loss. Replacing water and electrolytes (oral rehydration) completely takes about 36 hours. But you should feel better within a few hours.
Depending on the severity of the dehydration, reversal takes about 1-2 weeks. Drink the majority of the water during the morning and early afternoon so that you do not disturb your sleep at night from frequent trips to the bathroom. This way it will also keep your brain awake and your body energetic all day.
Your kidneys may not work as effectively with age, leading to a fluid imbalance in your body. Since your body has less water composition as you age, you become dehydrated much quicker than when you were younger.
Seniors are also at greater risk for dehydration because of how body composition changes with age. Older adults have less water in their bodies to start with than younger adults or children.
Experts generally recommend that older adults consume at least 1.7 liters of fluid per 24 hours. This corresponds to 57.5 fluid ounces, or 7.1 cups.
If treated quickly and effectively by a qualified medical professional, a senior can expect to make a full recovery from dehydration. If left untreated, however, dehydration can lead to multiple health complications, such as urinary tract issues, kidney stones, and even kidney failure.
Top Signs of Dehydration in Seniors
Water. While it likely comes as no surprise, drinking water is most often the best and cheapest way to stay hydrated and rehydrate. Unlike many other beverages, water contains no added sugars or calories, making it ideal to drink throughout the day or specifically when you need to rehydrate, such as after a workout.
Symptoms of dehydration in adults and children include:
In a recent study from the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, researchers reported that it only requires 45 minutes and 20.3 oz (600ml) of water to alleviate mild dehydration.
When we lose too much water, our bodies may become out of balance or dehydrated. Most doctors divide dehydration into three stages: 1) mild, 2) moderate and 3) severe.
If your dehydration is mild to moderate, it is possible to rehydrate with home care within a few hours. Many mild cases of dehydration can be resolved by drinking a generous amount of water.
Some other signs and symptoms of chronic dehydration include: