When an elder is dehydrated because of not drinking enough water?

Question

is it okay to give them gatorade to get re-hydrated and then try and give them water to drink? The person is aged 80 1/2.

Answer 1

Yes, water ,or juice or gatorade. We have so many elderly that just drink coffee at meals and that is not even counted in the intake book.

Answer 2

Gatorade, Power-ade and other drinks that replace electrolytes are good options.  If the person is extremely dehydrated, it is best to get them to an emergency room.  In such cases, the person will be placed in a cool room and given and IV to rehydrate them in a safe environment.  At 80 plus years, that might me a better choice if you are close to a hospital.  Or better yet, call their doctor.  All the elderly have some kind of medical professional.

Answer 3

Yes or Pedialte.  We have 2 elderly friends who have had hospital trips for dehydration who started using Pedialite and were able to avoid ER trips.  BTW coffee and most teas including herb teas have a diuretic effect so are not good for this.   Lightly sweetened lemonade works too so does diluted juice.   Dehydration can also come from blood pressure meds,CHF meds etc. if you can not get the problem turned around quickly you do need to take them to ER of call ambulance bec in an elderly person dehydration affects the body elelectrolyte balance which in turn effects heart and brain activity and can be very serious.

Answer 4

gatorade..water..any fluids they can tolerate..watch their tongue  for dryness..skin for turgor..and sometimes if electrolytes get unbalanced you may notice confusion..if they aren't already..good luck

Answer 5

This happened to me recently - have been ill for a few months now - but my Dr. told me buy some Pedialite (this is a tasteless form of Gaterade), or electrolites in a bottle,  usually given to babies and children.    It did seem to work for me.   However, you should always consult a Dr. before "treating" an elderly patient.

Hope this helps.

CJ

Answer 6

I would say so.  Also jello. Try giving some salty snacks because that will stimulate thirst and cause them to want to drink more.

Answer 7

Maybe I would dilute the gatorade, I don't think is tastes very good.

Answer 8

Gatorade is loaded with sugar. If the elderly person has diabetes, this wouldn't be a good idea.

Answer 9

I would just give them water with a little lemon squeezed in it. Water is what they need.