My mom has poor kidney function. Her doctor requested that she drink more water throughout the day understanding that it is frustrating due to her incontinence. She has to try. The hard part is.... my mom has always not been a fan of water. Says it has no taste. She is currently in memory care and the caregivers there try as much as they can when they give her meds but that's all she will take, small sips.
My question is, does anyone have any suggestions of anything g to add to water to make it taste better? It has to be water, no juice, or vodka as my mom asked. I know there is crystal light but thought I'd ask for ideas before I go and buy a bunch of different brands to try. Any ideas on this subject would help, thank you.
"You don't need to rely only on what you drink to meet your fluid needs. What you eat also provides a significant portion of your fluid needs. On average, food provides about 20 percent of total water intake. For example, many fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon and spinach, are 90 percent or more water by weight.
In addition, beverages such as milk and juice are composed mostly of water. Even beer, wine and caffeinated beverages — such as coffee, tea or soda — can contribute, but these should not be a major portion of your daily total fluid intake. Water is still your best bet because it's calorie-free, inexpensive and readily available."
Seriously, I'd offer a bottle of beer once in a while UNLESS the dietitian says not to for kidney reasons. There are lots of myths out there about hydration.
Myself, I am good with the lemon, just a few drops of unsweetened, or e-oil lemon, one drop in 16 oz. + of water.
A hint of flavor. Or try lime.
Again, check with the dietician, nutritionist, or doctor about carbonation, artificial sweeteners, flavored drinks (hopefully with NO fructose corn syrups).
Even bottled waters have different tastes. Some people are more sensitive than others. Use bottled, not tap water if your patient doesn't like water. Serve cold.
Then, there is one's mouth, or palate to consider. How many of us like to drink a glass of water just after brushing our teeth? Medications can wreck havoc in drying out the mouth, and other sensations like a metallic taste.
Have you ever had a piece of chocolate, (cake or candy)--
again,( check with prescribed diet), and then had a good cup of coffee? The taste of coffee was 'the best you ever had?'
It is because of what went before. A clean well-rinsed mouth, a clear palate, a pretty glass or cup, someone to sit and share a very weak cup of lemon-water tea...all these can add to the desirability of drinking water.
DO NOT EVER, EVER, ask me to drink tap water out of a styrofoam cup, or one of those beige, tan colored cups they have in hospitals. NEVER!
Okay? Get the picture? Serve lots of watermelon if Mom likes it. Cut it up nice for her.
That's all I got for today Scrimble. But I think you are on the right path trying to find a way to make ingesting more water APPEALING.
In the meantime, I'll try her with ice water with lemon or some Mio drops.
Thank you again to all of you.
My mother's generation seemed to love Kool-Aid (or Nectar as she called it.) Would that be suitable? If so, sugar or artificial sweetener?
Is carbonation OK?
I like ice water and I don't have problems with hydration. Alcohol interferes with more than one of my medications, so I can't have a nice glass of wine with dinner, or a lovely cordial before bed. I think I deserve a special drink now and then so lately I have been taste-testing one after another of the dozens of "flavored waters" on the market. I'm keeping a list of how I rate each one. I like carbonated beverages (though I hate soda pop). The only think I look for on the label is carbohydrates (I'm diabetic) and artificial sweeteners (because my digestive track tends not to like them.)
Once you are certain what will and won't work with your mother's kidney issues, just go through a supermarket reading labels.
My dad was big on crystal light - the tiny straws with powder. Plus it had to be really cold and ice always helped.
Mom has never been a fan of water or iced tea and lately I noticed she chomps on ice which I yell at her to stop doing so she doesn't break a tooth
Unless dr says no maybe some orange or lemon or lime slices may help - they even have those special water bottles with the holder for fruit to infuse the water with flavor
I think the key to upping her fluid intake is to always have something- even just ice water - easily within her grasp and to think outside the box. Be conscious also of the fluids available in foods: all fruits and veggies are mostly water, soups are also a good source as are smoothies (made with skim milk or milk alternates they can be low calorie), treats like low calorie jello or popsicles are also good .
Also there are now many ice teas in bottles to try that have different flavorings, my favorite is the peach, I like Gold Peak. Also like Pure Leaf brand. I wouldn't recommend the Lipton ice tea bottles, didn't like the taste at all :(
There are also ice tea bags, Twining brand of tea, that come in citrus flavorings that you dunk into a glass of water, thus you control the taste.
One thing to watch if the elder has issue with sugar intake is the amount of sugar that is in these drinks.