There are three typical reasons why senior people tend to dehydrate:
- Decreased kidney function – As we progress in age our kidneys are less able to preserve fluids to maintain our hydration state.
- Medications – The majority of senior people start to use some kind of chronic medication. A number of these medications are diuretic in nature or cause people to perspire more than usual, causing increased body fluid loss.
- Diminished sense of thirst – The older we get the less we perceive thirst that can cause dehydration.
- Mobility and Availability –Frail elderly people have difficulty or are not able to consume fluids on their own. For some elderly people it becomes more difficult to move around or get up to have regular drinks or use the bathroom.
