Staying hydrated is essential throughout our lives, but it becomes even more important as we age. Our Executive Chef and Nutrition and Hydration Lead, Chris Bonner, shares his top tips for older people and families around staying hydrated and why it’s so important.
Why is it so important to stay hydrated?
Older people are at a higher risk of dehydration due to changes in their body’s ability to retain water, a reduced sense of thirst, and certain health conditions or medications.
Dehydration can lead to a variety of different health problems, which is why the teams in our care homes recognise how important it is that we’re encouraging people living with us to drink fluids regularly.
Simple ways to encourage hydration
At HC-One, we understand that families, friends and carers can often play a key role in helping older people to stay hydrated, particularly for people who are living with dementia. Here are some simple
Across our care homes, we use a variety of techniques to help older people stay hydrated. Here are some of the simple ways we encourage good hydration in our homes:
● Get to know the key facts: NHS guidance recommends that older adults should typically aim to drink at least 6–8 cups (1.5–2 litres) of water per day to maintain good hydration levels.
● Offer a variety of drinks – Water is best, but tea, coffee, milk, diluted fruit juice, and herbal teas all count.
● Include soups and hydrating foods – Foods like yogurt, melon, cucumber, and jelly provide extra hydration.
● Encourage regular sips throughout the day – Small, frequent drinks are easier to manage than large amounts at once.
● Make drinks appealing – Try using a favourite mug or adding a slice of lemon or berries to water for extra flavour.
● Keep a drink within easy reach – Whether by their chair or bedside, having fluids nearby is a helpful reminder to older people.
● Create a routine – Encourage drinks with meals and snacks to build hydration into the day.
● Watch for signs of dehydration – Look out for dry mouth, headaches, dizziness, dark urine, or confusion.
How do we support people to stay hydrated in our care homes at HC-One?
At HC-One, we make hydration a key priority for our kind care teams. In our homes, we offer a range of drinks throughout the day – including hydration stations prepped with infused waters, fresh fruit and juices, as well as tailored nutrition and hydration plans designed to meet individual needs.
Our day-to-day menus include hydrating foods to help provide those fluids, as well as social activities that involve staying hydrated – such as afternoon tea gatherings or making fresh fruit smoothies.
The kind, caring teams in each of our homes are trained to recognise and respond to the unique diets and requirements of the people living in our homes – making sure each person living with us receives the right support for their nutrition and hydration.
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