We are in and out of the hospital with multiple issues mostly stemming from the lack of wanting to drink. UTIs, pneumonia, dehydration, falls from dehydration, low blood pressure issues stemming from dehydration.
The assisted living home will encourage fluids but they don’t sit there to see that they are not being fully used. There’s no explaining the importance of hydration because there are a million excuses as to why she has more than enough (possibly drinks 2-8 ounces a day!) I understand this is her disease making things difficult but does anyone else have any experience with this? Any advice appreciated!
I understand your frustration! My grandma who has dementia also does not drink like to drink water. When I first arrive for the day to take care of her, I open a water bottle and give it to her. She takes a couple of small sips and that’s it for hours! And she hands it back to me so I put it on the table next to her so she can reach it easily. During the day, I will remind her that it’s there, but she just looks at it and goes, “yeah...”. She definitely does not drink enough water. She has even got mad at me for reminding her about the water. So I really don’t know what to do. Maybe try putting the water in a different container? I think my grandma sometimes doesn’t like the plastic water bottle and would prefer a cup instead. I haven’t tried it yet because she spills a lot and is messy with food but maybe it’s worth the try. As they say, you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink!
my MIL won’t drink water, only ginger ale and only a few sips.
she won’t eat very much now but at least she will have some soup but only at meal times will she eat. So fruit and other hydrating foods are only an option if they are offered to her at AL at meal times.
I pray everyday that we don’t go to the emergency room again. It’s very traumatizing for her and time consuming for me and the other family members. We do our best!
you that MIL dehydration and lack of drinking has led to UTI, Pneumonia, low kidney function and excessive low blood pressure.
He has a tremor, so he uses a straw. Because of the tremor, he will not eat soup. The closest "wet" food was a chunky soup, but the doctor said it is too much sodium. He used to drink Boost every day, but now doesn't like that either.
The furthest I got was refusing to give him his whiskey or beer until he drank a glass of water. That backfires cause if he gets annoyed he stops eating altogether. 5 years ago he got depressed and would not eat or drink and went from 130 to 110 pounds. I told him if he did not want to live, we should get hospice for him. When the man came in and explained that he was there because Dad wanted to die, Dad changed his mind. We got him on antidepressants (mirtazipine) which got him eating again.
The advice here to try to feed her foods that are high in water content is really the best. Ice pops are usually well received. I look for chocolate ice pops or sometimes the Dollar store has rootbeer.
Otherwise, I think that on many levels, Dad behaves like a toddler. Maybe you can offer rewards if she drinks? Does she have any favorite foods or activities? If she drinks a glass of water, she gets a ride, you will do her nails, get her her favorite movie or listen to her favorite music. You don't have to make it a threat. Just say "I was going to read you your book /give you your magazine/give you this cookie. We can start right after you finish your water."
We moved my brother in with Dad to be there full time. That makes it easier to keep up and plead/cajole/reward.