Dementia care 101: Dehydration and dementia

Dementia care at home: The risk of dehydration with dementia

If you have started noticing signs your loved one may need dementia care, it’s important to note that there are a few other conditions that have similar symptoms that can be masked by dementia or even be misdiagnosed as dementia. One of the most common of these is dehydration.

What are the risks of dehydration in older adults?

Seniors are at a higher risk of dehydration. Memory loss, mobility issues, side effects of medications, and reduced thirst sensations can all contribute to older adults not drinking enough fluids throughout the day.

Seniors who live alone without daily companionship, family nearby, or reliable in-home care face an even tougher challenge. Effects of dehydration may go unnoticed, increasing risk of confusion, falls caused by dizziness, UTIs, and other health complications.

Dehydration symptoms in older adults: Signs your parent isn’t drinking enough water

Many people over the age of 65 do not drink enough water. People living with dementia and other memory-related conditions face an increased struggle to drink enough fluids throughout the day. Critically, they also may not recognize these common symptoms as a sign that something is wrong.

For families and in-home caregivers, these symptoms can be especially confusing as many of these symptoms can also be signs of dementia, depression, or even delirium in older adults—as well as dehydration.

Common symptoms of dehydration in older adults:

• Dry skin
• Muscle cramps or weakness
• Dark urine
• Dry, sticky mouth
• Overeating or appetite loss
• Tiredness, sleepiness, sluggishness, fatigue, lack of energy
• Confusion and forgetfulness
• Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
• Dizziness and/or light-headedness
• Irritability and/or agitation
• Headaches
• Constipation or nausea

Dementia symptoms in older adults: Signs your parent needs cognitive support

As you’ll notice, many of the symptoms of dementia overlap with symptoms of dehydration. This is why close monitoring of your loved one and their habits is essential to an accurate diagnosis.

Dementia isn’t the only cognitive condition faced by older adults. There are many types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, as well as other conditions that affect cognitive abilities, so close observation and a diagnosis by a healthcare provider is essential.

Common symptoms of dementia:

• Forgetfulness, memory loss
• Poor decision making
• Confusion
• Dizziness, inability to balance properly
• Tiredness, fatigue, low energy
• Irritability
• Depression
• Poor communication

Other common symptoms that look like dementia: The 3 Ds of geriatric health

Geriatric health specialists often refer to “the 3 Ds”—dementia, depression, and delirium as three main conditions that affect cognitive health in older adults. Dehydration, while not typically listed as one of these three main conditions, is a very common health condition affecting seniors in varying degrees of severity.

Depression

Depression can often be the hardest to pinpoint of the “3Ds.” Older adults, like many of us, sometimes hide these feelings and symptoms from their loved ones, not wanting to ask for help or not realizing that there’s anything wrong.

However, depression is more common among seniors than many people realize. Limited mobility, health issues, lack of transportation, and other aging-related changes can lead to isolation, greatly increasing the risk for depression. Companion care can help address some of these risks, as care needs increase and older adults need more support for successful aging in place.

Common symptoms of depression in older adults

• Persistent sadness, despair, emptiness
• Hopelessness, guilt, feeling a burden
• Negative self-talk
• Loss of interest in activities
• Difficulty concentrating
• Fatigue/low energy
• Overeating or appetite loss
• Irritability
• Muscle aches and cramps
• Headaches
• Digestive issues/constipation

Delirium

While sharing many symptoms and presenting similarly to dementia, dehydration, and depression, delirium is episodic and often occurs as a result of an underlying health issue or as a reaction to a health event, such as surgery. Stay in constant communication with your in-home caregiver about sudden changes in mood or health that might indicate a delirium episode.

Delirium can indicate serious underlying health problems, such as an infection or organ functionality, so it’s imperative to help your loved one get to their healthcare provider immediately.

Common symptoms of delirium in older adults:

• Confusion and memory problems
• Agitation and restlessness
• Mood swings or emotional outbursts
• Poor attention
• Withdrawal
• Anxiety or fear
• Sleep disruption
• Changes in appetite
• Reduced movement
• Hallucinations
• Delusions
• Distortions in sensory perception

How to tell the difference between dehydration and dementia?

If you are noticing several of the symptoms described above, an easy first step is helping your loved one increase their fluid intake right away. Experts recommend 6-8 glasses of fluids per day, but these don’t have to just be water. Other hydrating beverages and foods with a high liquid content can be incorporated into your loved one’s daily routine.

The second step is to contact their healthcare provider and get an appointment so their symptoms can be assessed. Work with your loved one’s in-home caregivers, family, and friends to create a comprehensive list of symptoms.

Severe dehydration needs immediate medical attention, so always reach out to your loved one’s healthcare provider for guidance on treatment.

Tips on addressing dehydration for older adults with dementia

For many of us—not just older adults—drinking 8 glasses of water a day simply isn’t appealing or realistic. Luckily, there are other ways to help our older loved ones stay hydrated.

• Offer a variety of beverages through the day: Flavored or sparkling water, tea, coffee, juices, smoothies, milk, etc
• Offer hydrating foods: Incorporate soups, melon, squash, and other fruit, yogurt, popsicles, and other hydrating products especially designed for seniors, such as Jelly Drops
• Try different cups and containers: Use a clear cup so that the contents are visible and add a straw for ease
• Improve visibility and labelling: Try bright colors for increased visibility, as well as adding labels for loved ones who have dementia, such as “Sarah’s water”
• Address any mobility needs: Ensure that the cup or water bottle is not too heavy, easy to grasp, and placed within reach
• Avoid alcohol: While alcohol is liquid, the effects can increase confusion, leading to accidents or issues interacting with certain medicines

In the long term, cognitive support for seniors goes beyond just in-home caregiving and monitoring symptoms. Many easy home modifications for dementia care can help improve the ease of daily routines and make care more effective and safer. Talk to your loved one’s healthcare provider to learn more about their care needs and what level of in-home memory care is right for them.