hi everyone,
I wondered if anyone had any advice on how to get people with dementia to drink enough liquid during the day?
I've just come back from looking after my mum for a bit of the weekend to give my dad a break, and really noticed how little she's drinking. This can't be good for her kidneys, system in general, even how she feels if she's dehydrated. Her day centres have noticed this pattern too.
We've started to flavour water - e.g. with a bit of ribena - to make her drink brightly coloured and eye-catching, as well as taste sweet. Occasionally this works a treat, but more often than not it has little effect. Reminding her of the importance of drinking, or putting it into the words of a carer or doctor has little effect either since she gets very defensive. My brother has also tried offering her a drink with a straw, in case it's partly about the coordination of raising the glass to her mouth, as well as to offer some novelty value - again, this has only worked on occasion.
I imagine that all this is because she no longer 'feels' thirsty.
I'd be really grateful for any tips.
Helen
I wondered if anyone had any advice on how to get people with dementia to drink enough liquid during the day?
I've just come back from looking after my mum for a bit of the weekend to give my dad a break, and really noticed how little she's drinking. This can't be good for her kidneys, system in general, even how she feels if she's dehydrated. Her day centres have noticed this pattern too.
We've started to flavour water - e.g. with a bit of ribena - to make her drink brightly coloured and eye-catching, as well as taste sweet. Occasionally this works a treat, but more often than not it has little effect. Reminding her of the importance of drinking, or putting it into the words of a carer or doctor has little effect either since she gets very defensive. My brother has also tried offering her a drink with a straw, in case it's partly about the coordination of raising the glass to her mouth, as well as to offer some novelty value - again, this has only worked on occasion.
I imagine that all this is because she no longer 'feels' thirsty.
I'd be really grateful for any tips.
Helen