Symptoms of Dehydration in Elderly People

Elderly and older people are at a higher risk of dehydration than younger people simply because of how the body composition changes with age. Older people have less water in the body than younger people. Another reason elderly people are more at risk of dehydration is that some conditions such as Alzheimer's Disease and dementia can affect a person's ability to remember to have a drink or to recognise when they need to. Some medications can affect hydration within the body too. Here are symptoms of dehydration in elderly people.

Symptoms of Dehydration

Some common signs and symptoms of dehydration include:

• A dry mouth
• Sunken Eyes
• Muscle Cramping
• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
• Tiredness or fatigue
• A decrease in urination
• Urine that is a darker colour than normal

Some of these symptoms are harder to detect as they can be attributed to medication side effects or ailments of old age but it is very important to look out for if more than one is present, especially in the hotter months.

Severe Symptoms of Dehydration

It is extremely important to look out for the early signs of dehydration mentioned above as they can lead to more serious symptoms such as:

• A rapid heartbeat
• Disorientation
• Fainting
• Diarrhea or vomiting
• Kidney problems
• Seizures
• Heatstroke
• Hypervolemic shock

Stay Hydrated

Thirst is the first sign a person is dehydrated so it is important to make sure you stay hydrated at all times, especially in older years. Make sure to intake 6 to 8 cups of fluid a day.

How Careline365 Can Help

Here at Careline35, we strive to provide safety and independence to those who may be vulnerable in their home. If an incident or emergency should occur, our users know help is available at the simple press of a button with our life-saving personal alarm service. If you have any questions about our service, please get in touch. Our Customer Service Team can be reached on 0800 101 3333 or via email at info@careline.co.uk