For some seniors, enjoying good health during their golden years could be as simple as staying hydrated. In a January 2023 article in The Lancet, researchers followed more than 11,000 participants for 25 years and found the most hydrated were less at risk for chronic diseases and premature death.
People become less hydrated as they age, and the authors concluded that having a hydration routine could help a person slow the aging process.
Dementia patients, however, aren’t always able to communicate when they are thirsty or even recognize when they need a drink. For caregivers, preventing dehydration can be an ongoing challenge that involves difficult decisions.
