Dehydration is very common in older people and can pose serious health issues for them. Additionally, being sufficiently hydrated is also a prerequisite for many medications.

While this is always the plan when we are with clients, often it just does not work out that way. Sometimes a client will just not be interested in drinking any more liquids. It is also difficult to improve this when they do not co-operate.

Think other sources

There are other ways to get clients to take more liquids. Fruit and vegetables contain water, as does coffee and tea, fruit juice and sodas. While some of these may contain sugars, it is a small trade-off when they drink something, even if it contains sugar.

Keep a drink close at hand

Having a jug or flask of water nearby where it can be seen may encourage them to drink more often. Keep the water or juice cold and it may be more enticing.

Different temperatures

Your client may enjoy hot instead of cold, so be sure to ask them. If they like coffee but find it too hot, you can make iced coffee and tea which they may enjoy more.

Try soup

Even in summer some people enjoy soup. Your client will enjoy a savoury drink rather than sweet tea and coffee. Soup, either hot or cold, may be a good way to incorporate extra water into the diet.

Make icicles

These are a great way to get your client to drink more water. They are easy to make and fun to eat.

Think smoothies

These are easily made and a great way to add water to the diet. They also incorporate extra fruit so have added nutritional value.

Final thoughts

Before you add any more things to your client’s diet, be sure to check with their doctor. Once you have the all-clear, you can experiment with foods and drinks that please your client and make them more amenable to extra water in the diet.

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