Recognising the Signs of Dehydration in an Older Loved One

Dehydration is a state where the body does not have enough water to sustain itself. It happens when more fluid leaves the body than is taken in, and when that happens the body cannot function normally. Left untreated, it can become a serious, even life-threatening, health concern, which is why our carers are trained to watch for it at every visit.

What causes dehydration

The main causes include:

• ✓A reduced sense of thirst
• ✓Sickness and diarrhoea
• ✓Concerns about continence
• ✓Swallowing difficulties
• ✓A reduced ability to think or remember to drink
• ✓Hot weather
• ✓Medicines
• ✓Reduced access to fluid and preferred drinks
• ✓Reduced kidney function

Signs to watch for

Symptoms and signs of dehydration can include:

• ✓Feeling thirsty
• ✓Dark yellow urine
• ✓Passing urine less often than usual
• ✓Light-headedness or dizziness
• ✓Tiredness and fatigue
• ✓Dry mouth and lips
• ✓Sunken eyes
• ✓Headaches
• ✓Flushed, red skin
• ✓Swollen feet
• ✓Loss of appetite

Why it matters

Dehydration can put someone at risk of other serious health concerns, including urinary tract infections, low blood pressure, constipation, an increased risk of falls, kidney failure, seizures and a reduced ability to recover or heal from wounds. In the most serious cases it can be fatal, so it is not something to leave unchecked.

How our carers help prevent it

Anyone can become dehydrated, but babies and infants, elderly people, and people with long-term health conditions are particularly at risk. People who smoke are also at greater risk, as nicotine can cause severe dehydration and affects the body's ability to rehydrate.

Mild dehydration can generally be treated by drinking more fluids, and small amounts add up. Our carers make sure a variety of drinks are always available, give full glasses even if only a few sips are taken, and offer support to drink where it is needed. Taking time to sit with someone can encourage them to drink more, and we offer discreet reassurance where fear of incontinence is holding someone back from drinking enough. Foods naturally high in fluid, such as soup, smoothies, fruit, yoghurt and ice cream or ice lollies, are also worked into meals where possible.

Where more serious concerns about dehydration are present, we encourage further support from healthcare professionals such as a GP, Occupational Therapist or Speech and Language Therapist.

Frequently Asked Questions