Older adults may not drink as much water as they should. The goal for a man is around three liters. Some of that water comes from the foods people eat, the rest is in the coffee, juice, water, and other beverages people enjoy.
Doctors say the goal is to drink enough that you’re flushing your kidneys out regularly. Urine shouldn’t be dark yellow, it should be pale in color. If your dad isn’t staying properly hydrated, it increases his risk of a UTI and can impact the health of his organs, too. These tips make it easier to entice him to consume more water.
Use Natural Flavoring
If your dad simply doesn’t find the lack of flavor appealing, add it. A slice of lemon, a few drops of vanilla, or some frozen blueberries will add a little extra to his glass of water. In the morning, fill a pitcher with frozen strawberries and top it off with water. Make sure your dad drinks that throughout the day.
You could also fill mason jars so that he has a variety to choose from. Fill one with lemon slices, one with mint, and another with frozen mango slices.
Serve Foods With a High Water Content
Instead of trying to get him to drink extra fluid, serve your dad foods that contain a lot of water. If he likes melon, serve him melon cubes as snacks. Berries, celery, and oranges are other water-rich foods. Keep a bowl of fruit salad with grapes, watermelon, strawberries, and mango in the fridge for quick and easy snacks.
Make Healthier Popsicles
Blend water or seltzer with frozen berries and bananas. Put that mixture into popsicle forms. When your dad is outside and wants a snack, bring him a popsicle with a glass of iced tea. He won’t think of the popsicle as being a way to stay hydrated.
Keep Iced Tea on Hand
If juice and water aren’t appealing to him, make a pitcher of herbal iced tea. You don’t have to worry about the caffeine content, but he’ll have the tea he wants. You could make an iced tea with dried peaches, lemon balm, and mint.
Should herbal tea not appeal to him, there are decaf black teas out there. Make him a black tea with a slice of lemon and a natural sweetener like stevia or agave syrup.
Call a senior care agency and ask about the services caregivers provide that keep your dad hydrated. He could have a caregiver stopping by each day for an afternoon tea. He can have a caregiver available for meal and snack preparation. All of that can help ensure he hydrates himself.
For more information about hiring Senior Care in La Jolla, CA, call the friendly caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare who can help your aging parents remain in their own homes, at 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in La Jolla, CA, and the surrounding communities.
Today we are the oldest and most experienced private duty agency in San Diego County.She saw a need for quality private duty home health care and she worked diligently to build an agency that filled that need.I am proud to say, her vision is carried on today with our dedicated staff.
I believe our tenure in the community speaks well for us.We have had the opportunity to be of service to countless interesting individuals, including local and worldwide celebrities.It is the people we care for that makes this a fascinating industry.Whether high profile or a more ordinary citizen, we are proud that thousands have entrusted us with their care or the care of their loved ones.Our Mission is to provide high quality, very secure and the most compassionate home health care.We believe that patients heal faster and are happiest when they can stay in their homes.”
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