From A Place for Mom website; Signs of dehydration in seniors may include: Confusion, Difficulty walking, Dizziness or headaches, Dry mouth, Sunken eyes, Inability to sweat or produce tears, Rapid heart rate, Low blood pressure, (my observations- also, decreased urine output, foul smelling, concentrated dark urine). Cont. from website; Monitor body weight to keep track of hydration levels. To monitor body weight, one should be weighed every morning. If they've lost two pounds or more from the day before, and especially if they feel thirsty or have a headache, they're probably dehydrated.
Mild dehydration is defined as losing 2 percent of your body weight. Severe dehydration occurs with 4 percent or greater body weight loss. Even mild dehydration can affect a person's health, especially if he already has cardiac or renal problems. "We have measured in the lab cognitive impairment," he says. "With severe dehydration, it puts a greater strain on the heart. Think of a pump trying to pump with less fluid. That would be one of the primary problems." (End of info. from site.)
What "stage" is your dad in, 5,6 or 7? Can he swallow? Does he vomit it back up? (sorry for being graphic-I'm a nurse, so it doesn't bother me.)
If you can't get him up to a scale, try this; To check for skin "turgor", lightly pinch the skin on the top of the forearm between two fingers so that it is tented up. Hold the skin up for a couple of seconds, then let it fall. Skin with normal turgor falls rapidly back immediately o its normal position. If his takes a few seconds to recoil, he's dehydrated. Encourage whatever fluids he will drink. Don't forget jello counts as a liquid, also shakes, smoothies, aguas, soups (preferably low sodium), etc. Doesn't have to just be water. Don't bring an 8 oz. glass, use smaller cups or glasses so he doesn't feel overwhelmed. (Those of you who have had colonoscopies after drinking "gallons" of GoLightly can remember the feeling!) Find out what his favorite flavors are. If meat, use low sodium chicken and beef broths and bouillons.
Maybe there's a problem swallowing "thin" liquids. (Very common after stroke.) Does he cough or choke after drinking? If this is the case, there is an over the counter product called Thickit. It will thicken any thin liquid to a milkshake consistency. You just add the powder to the liquid.
Watery foods or foods with lots of (low sodium) gravy would also be a liquid addition. Offer fluids every two hours for as long as he's awake, even if he only takes sips. Yes, this will create more pee-pee problems during the night but it's better than going into kidney failure. Keep a urinal at the bedside.
As we age we loose the "thirst" sensation. That means we have to be conscientious about remembering to drink. Increase consumption by 1/3 in hot weather (without air conditioning). Try a straw in his glass (some like the control a straw offers over sipping from the side of the glass. Offer the correct temperature liquids he likes best. (I "can't" drink anything that doesn't have ice in it (if it's supposed to be cold).-Just my preference.
A little more detail would help. Can he not drink because of dysphagia or does he not drink because he doesn't want to? And I've found that the term late stage dementia means different things to different people, is your dad bed bound, frail and close to the end of life or do you just mean his dementia is severe?
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Signs of dehydration in seniors may include:
Confusion, Difficulty walking, Dizziness or headaches, Dry mouth, Sunken eyes, Inability to sweat or produce tears, Rapid heart rate, Low blood pressure, (my observations- also, decreased urine output, foul smelling, concentrated dark urine).
Cont. from website;
Monitor body weight to keep track of hydration levels. To monitor body weight, one should be weighed every morning. If they've lost two pounds or more from the day before, and especially if they feel thirsty or have a headache, they're probably dehydrated.
Mild dehydration is defined as losing 2 percent of your body weight. Severe dehydration occurs with 4 percent or greater body weight loss. Even mild dehydration can affect a person's health, especially if he already has cardiac or renal problems. "We have measured in the lab cognitive impairment," he says. "With severe dehydration, it puts a greater strain on the heart. Think of a pump trying to pump with less fluid. That would be one of the primary problems." (End of info. from site.)
What "stage" is your dad in, 5,6 or 7? Can he swallow? Does he vomit it back up? (sorry for being graphic-I'm a nurse, so it doesn't bother me.)
If you can't get him up to a scale, try this;
To check for skin "turgor", lightly pinch the skin on the top of the forearm between two fingers so that it is tented up. Hold the skin up for a couple of seconds, then let it fall. Skin with normal turgor falls rapidly back immediately o its normal position.
If his takes a few seconds to recoil, he's dehydrated. Encourage whatever fluids he will drink. Don't forget jello counts as a liquid, also shakes, smoothies, aguas, soups (preferably low sodium), etc. Doesn't have to just be water.
Don't bring an 8 oz. glass, use smaller cups or glasses so he doesn't feel overwhelmed. (Those of you who have had colonoscopies after drinking "gallons" of GoLightly can remember the feeling!)
Find out what his favorite flavors are. If meat, use low sodium chicken and beef broths and bouillons.
Maybe there's a problem swallowing "thin" liquids. (Very common after stroke.) Does he cough or choke after drinking? If this is the case, there is an over the counter product called Thickit. It will thicken any thin liquid to a milkshake consistency. You just add the powder to the liquid.
Watery foods or foods with lots of (low sodium) gravy would also be a liquid addition. Offer fluids every two hours for as long as he's awake, even if he only takes sips. Yes, this will create more pee-pee problems during the night but it's better than going into kidney failure. Keep a urinal at the bedside.
As we age we loose the "thirst" sensation. That means we have to be conscientious about remembering to drink. Increase consumption by 1/3 in hot weather (without air conditioning). Try a straw in his glass (some like the control a straw offers over sipping from the side of the glass. Offer the correct temperature liquids he likes best. (I "can't" drink anything that doesn't have ice in it (if it's supposed to be cold).-Just my preference.
Hope these suggestions help. Cheers!
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And I've found that the term late stage dementia means different things to different people, is your dad bed bound, frail and close to the end of life or do you just mean his dementia is severe?