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June 23rd is National Hydration Day, and the Tampa Bay area is already feeling heat index values as high as 105.
Older adults may face unique dehydration risks.
Mari Beth Braden is the director of the adult daycare program at Neighborly.
She works with seniors with significant cognitive impairment, and says they carry unique dehydration risks.
“Their brain has changed, you know, they don’t have that sensor anymore that’s telling them that they’re thirsty. So they’re not going to go for a drink like we would if, you know, if we were thirsty.” Braden told WMNF.
Braden says the signs of dehydration may be confused with natural aging.
“Sometimes you might not see the signs as quickly because you would think it’s just kind of, this normal aging, you know, their confusion type of things. But, it does cause confusion and fatigue, and muscle weakness.” Braden said.
A U.S. News & World Report suggests that anywhere from 40% to 66% of seniors may be chronically dehydrated.
Braden says to watch for signs of dehydration that may just look like old age – including confusion, fatigue, and muscle weakness.
She also encourages people to schedule a hydration routine for their older loved ones.