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How to Recognize Dehydration Symptoms in Seniors

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How to Recognize Dehydration Symptoms in Seniors

MORNINGSTAR SENIOR LIVING | December 31
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Assisted Living, Independent Living, Lifestyle, Rooted Blog, Senior Care, Senior Health, Senior Living |
Health problems in older adults caused by not drinking enough water can be solved easily by knowing how to recognize symptoms of dehydration in seniors.

Staying hydrated seems simple. You get thirsty, you drink a glass of water and you’re good to go. Right? For younger and middle-aged adults that equation is pretty simple. But for older adults living at home or in a senior living community, staying properly hydrated can be challenging. Older people who have mobility issues, dementia, frequent urination because of diabetes, or diarrhea and vomiting caused by the flu may find it difficult to drink and retain enough water to stay healthy.

A study by the UCLA School of Nursing revealed 40% of seniors may be under-hydrated which can progress to serious dehydration illnesses and issues. These can include kidney stones, urinary tract infections, falls, and fainting.

It's essential to know how to recognize the following dehydration symptoms in seniors and address them as soon as possible:

  • Thirst – Surprisingly, many seniors don’t recognize their need for water or may simply ignore it because it’s too much trouble to walk and get a glass of water.
  • Dry Mouth – Signs include bad breath, thick or stringy saliva, and trouble chewing or swallowing.
  • Urine Color – Checking this vital sign is one of the simplest ways to determine whether someone is dehydrated. Clear or light-colored urine means the person is getting enough water, while dark-colored urine says they may be dehydrated.
  • Headaches – Sometimes aspirin isn’t the cure. Not drinking enough water can be the culprit and can also cause dizziness and lead to falls.
  • Muscle Weakness – Don’t dismiss a senior struggling to stand or pick up a full mug of coffee as simply suffering from the challenges of old age. It could mean they need to be better hydrated.
  • Lack of Sweat – Instead of marveling at how cool and dry your loved one seems on a hot day when you are drenched in perspiration, you may want to get them a tall glass of iced tea or lemonade.
  • Fatigue and Lethargy – Feeling tired and unmotivated may be a sign your senior needs more than a nap. Having them sip on a refreshing drink may be a better way to put a spring back into their step.
  • Confusion – The biggest worry when you notice you or a loved one become confused is that it might be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease. Fortunately, a clearer mind may be just a cool drink away.

These are just a few of the subtle signs of minor dehydration. The signs of severe dehydration are much more noticeable: They include a sunken look in the eyes, shriveled skin, low blood pressure or even delirium. If you notice these symptoms, a quick drink of water may not be the answer and you should seek medical care.

Lack of enough moisture in the body is a serious but often overlooked problem that can be easily solved by knowing how to recognize symptoms of dehydration in seniors.

MorningStar Senior Living


If your loved one lives far from family and friends, it could be time to move into a senior living community near their adult children where they’ll have the companionship of fellow seniors and a compassionate service team. At MorningStar Senior Living, a 24/7 team is dedicated to offer care and hospitality services that meet each resident’s social, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs.


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BRIDGE LOANS

It’s not uncommon for families to be short on funds when transitioning a loved one into a senior community. The ElderLife Bridge Loan allows you to pay for rent and care in the short term while waiting for other funds to come in. Common financial shortfalls include the time that it takes to list and sell a home, or the waiting period before receiving VA Benefits.

The Bridge Loan is designed like a line of credit, bridging the financial shortfall for up to 12 months. The loan is unsecured (no collateral needed) and approved quickly with no penalty for early payoff and affordable interest payments as low as $8 per $1000 borrowed.

To learn more about the ElderLife Bridge Loan, call 877.664.1710 or Click Here.

REVERSE MORTGAGE

When one partner needs assisted living, and the other partner chooses to remain living in a private home, a reverse mortgage may be a good solution to help pay for increased expenses. Without affecting Medicare or Social Security benefits, reverse mortgages allow a homeowner to stay in the home and withdraw from the equity that the couple has built. Mortgage holders get tax-free cash flow as a loan against that equity, a loan that doesn’t need to be repaid until the house is sold or the owner moves out or dies.

Be sure to vet lenders and their terms thoroughly before making any decision. If you would like to be connected to a trusted, licensed reverse mortgage partner, call 877.664.1710.

LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE

Long-term care insurance helps pay for senior care and protect personal assets by covering expenses up to the amounts set forth in the policy. LTC insurance pays for a variety of services in senior communities, and can offer care options that may not be covered through the federal subsidies of Medicare and Medicaid (see below section).

LTC policies can be complex and it may be difficult to understand and activate your policy. If you have questions about your Long-term Care policy, call 877.664.1710 to be connected with an expert for a free policy review.

SELLING THE HOME

The equity built up in a private home is typically a retiree’s largest asset, making the proceeds from selling extremely helpful when transitioning to a senior community. However, selling a home in a timely manner can be challenging and time-consuming. This is especially true when adult children are not living near to assist.

Many families find it helpful to work with a Real Estate Professional experienced with all aspects of selling a senior’s home. From packing and cleaning to listing and selling, ElderLife’s agents are ready to assist with the entire process to simplify a senior transition. To be connected with a local agent, call 877.664.1710.

SOCIAL SECURITY

Approach Social Security (SS) benefits tactically. Historically, it was wise to take SS benefits early and invest them. Today, that’s not necessarily so. Maximized benefits may best be found through delayed retirement credits. Depending on your birth year, benefits increase by 3-8% annually. If you wait until age 70 to collect, that monthly check could increase by 25% or more. And a surviving spouse receives the entirety of that benefit upon the worker’s death, making delayed retirement credits even more valuable. Study the new rules to choose your best course.
Click here for original source info.

MEDICARE

Think of Medicare as health insurance for those 65 years and older, regardless of income. While Medicare never pays for assisted living, it is designed to help fund certain postacute expenses in the first 100 days, namely hospitalization and rehab, as long as the person’s health is improving.
Once you’ve plateaued, Medicare stops paying.

Benefits may be available for home health care, but only if certain conditions are met. Medicare Part A covers hospice (palliative care) for the actively dying, regardless of income, including in a senior living community. Click here for original source info.

In contrast, Medicaid is a federal government program that subsidizes the medical expenses (including certain health services and nursing home care) for low income people of all ages. MorningStar does not accept Medicaid. Click here for more information.

LEVERAGE LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES

Whole life and universal life policies build a reserve of cash through interest-earning excess premiums (known as the policy’s “cash value”). In some situations, life insurance can be a source of ready funds through cash surrender, death benefit loans, accelerating death benefits, life (or viatical) settlements, or even selling the policy on the open market for immediate cash.

Before acting on any of these methods, consult a financial advisor, as there may be tax consequences. Life Care Funding can also help you determine whether a policy can be converted. Click Here

TAX BENEFITS

The IRS allows certain deductions on a federal tax return for the cost of housing and meals of those receiving long-term care in a senior community due to chronic illness or the inability to live alone.

Assisted living residents may qualify for these deductions if a physician certifies that they have been unable to perform at least two activities of daily living (such as eating, bathing or dressing) without assistance for at least 90 days. The same deductions can apply to those who require substantial supervision due to memory impairment.

An adult child paying for a parent’s care may also qualify for the tax deductions, if the child can claim the parent as a dependent. Consult a tax advisor for further information or visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Click Here.

COMPANION LIVING

MorningStar offers Companion Living in all of our communities, where two unrelated people of the same sex share a suite, whether in independent living, assisted living or memory care.

Not only does this living arrangement enhance life by its camaraderie, it also extends savings.

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