For most adults, the goal is to drink at least two liters of water, tea, coffee, etc. each day. Men need a little more, but health issues may decrease that amount. If she’s on blood thinners or diuretics, she may need to monitor how much she drinks to avoid worsening her health. Home care assistance can be there to help your senior stay hydrated. Here are a few ways she can focus on drinking more water:
Purchase a Reusable Cup That Reminds Her
Invest in a reusable water bottle that has flashing lights or a beep that alerts her to the fact that she hasn’t had enough to drink. If she has that reminder, you might find she drinks more.
Make Drinks She Enjoys
Some people don’t like water. If your mom is one of them. Make pitchers of iced tea and don’t add sugar. Herbal teas are ideal if she’s supposed to be avoiding caffeine.
Does she like seltzer? Pour a glass of plain seltzer and add a slice of lemon or lime. You can do the same with water, and you might find that the addition of fruit makes it more appealing. There are also seltzer flavoring drops she can use to flavor her water and seltzer.
If she drinks milk, that’s a great choice for hydration as it contains some natural sugar for energy and has plenty of calcium. You could blend it with a banana, flax seed, and unsweetened peanut butter for a protein and fiber-rich snack.
Serve Water-Rich Snacks
Cubed melons, grapes, berries, and orange segments all contain high quantities of water. The same is true of tomatoes, cucumbers, and celery. Your mom may not want to drink a lot, but she might be willing to have a snack and get water that way.
Turn Her Need for Hydration Into a Fun Activity
You might find your mom drinks more if you turn it into an afternoon tea party with her grandchildren. Serve some finger sandwiches with a pitcher of iced tea or lemonade. Make the lemonade from scratch and control the sugar or use something else like agave nectar, honey, or maple syrup if you want to avoid granulated sugar.
Make sandwiches with cucumber slices and cream cheese for added water. Tuna salad with chopped celery also adds to her water intake. Scoops of frozen sorbet can end the party and add even more water.
Hire Caregivers to Track Her Water Intake
Meal preparation services are one way to ensure your mom stays hydrated. She might not make the best choices when it comes to preparing meals and sitting down with a meal and drink. Older adults often look for ready-to-eat meals and don’t drink enough water.
With home care assistance, your mom has a caregiver reminding her to have another glass of water or milk. Her caregiver will serve her finger foods to snack on throughout the day that are high in water. She’ll have full meals and company while she eats. Talk to a home care assistance specialist to learn more.
If you or an aging loved one is considering home care assistance in Larkspur, CO, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY Home Care of Parker. 303-953-9924
