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How Crucial Is It for Older Adults to Stay Hydrated?

In the latest piece from American writer Jack Shaw, he explores how older people can stay hydrated and keep on top of their health in hot conditions as summer arrives in the UK.

Staying hydrated isn’t only something you do on hot days — it helps you feel your best every day. Whether you’re taking part in sports, recreational activities or relaxing indoors, keeping your fluids up helps you stay strong. 

Do you remember those warm summer days in the garden - maybe with a slice of melon nearby or an ice lolly straight from the freezer? Staying refreshed seemed part of daily life. Your body still needs fluids to stay energised and ready to tackle the day, but staying hydrated can take a back seat to life’s other demands. Here’s why hydration still matters and how you can up your fluids. 

Why Hydration Matters

Nobody knows how to take better care of you than you, but sometimes, staying hydrated drops down the priority list. As you age, you might not recognise your body’s need for liquids, but hydration becomes even more crucial as people get older. 

Staying hydrated fights headaches, tiredness, confusion, constipation, lack of concentration and urinary tract infections. One of the best perks of staying hydrated is that it slows the ageing process, helping you feel your best for longer.

Stay Healthy, Stay Hydrated

Drinking clean water is the best way to stay hydrated, but not everyone likes the taste — or lack of taste — of water. Don’t let that stop you from staying hydrated. Drinking too few fluids can cause chronic dehydration, which can affect your organ health and immune system, among other things. 

If you don’t like water, supplement it with herbal and fruit teas, diluted juices to add flavour, milk or dairy alternatives, soups or broths, and hydrating fruits and vegetables, like cucumbers, watermelon or oranges. Eat other hydrating snacks — like yoghurts and chilled soups on hot days — or flavour your water with cucumbers. You can also set reminders to drink fluid while reading the newspaper or before going for a jog. 

If you’re not in the mood for full meals or drinks, try snacking on ice lollies or custard or adding more milk to your cereal. Stick to low-fat dairy to lower your sugar intake. Aim to drink between six and eight glasses of fluid daily to stay healthy. If you have Type 2 diabetes, you should have sugary drinks in moderation or avoid them altogether. 

Along with hydration, staying active is part of being healthy. One way to stay fit is to participate in recreational activities or sports. Whether you’re doing a gentle exercise or something strenuous, staying hydrated while active plays a key role in how well your body performs and recovers. Even light exercises — like gardening, walking or Tai Chi — increase your body’s need for fluid. If you’re attending a fitness class or sport, be sure to have water nearby to sip on before, during and after. 

Football is the heart of building friendships, whether you’re watching or playing it. If you want to stay in shape and form or join a team, remember to carry your water with you to replace the fluids you lose when you sweat. If you’re not a sports fan, try spending time with loved ones and friends visiting museums, parks or other locations that require a good amount of walking.

Staying Hydrated Shows Your Body Love

Staying hydrated is a form of self-care and love. It can be easy to overlook when your body doesn’t crave fluids or you’re not leaving the house for the day. Participating in recreational activities or joining a sports team is a good way to ensure you stay fit, healthy and hydrated. In the long run, your body will thank you for it. 

As an accomplished writer and Fitness editor at Modded, Jack Shaw has established his reputation as a respected authority on sports and their effect on physical health. His work can also be found in publications such as SportsEdTV, Better Triathlete and Senior Lifestyle Magazine.