Help a person with dementia to drink more water

We all need to drink plenty of water each day to keep our bodies hydrated and working properly. If we don’t drink enough water, we can become dehydrated. Dehydration starts with feeling thirsty. You may have dry lips or a dry mouth. You may also feel dizzy and your wee might appear darker than usual. When dehydration is severe, you may become irritable, confused or drowsy.

People with dementia often forget to drink. They may not know that they are thirsty. They may be unable to communicate that they need water. This can make their dementia symptoms suddenly worse.

If you are caring for a person with dementia, it may be necessary to prompt them to drink water frequently throughout the day, especially if they are active. And there is so much you can do to help a person with dementia to drink more water every day.

You’ll find a list of strategies to aid hydration here, Hydration strategies for people with dementia

 Read more

Dehydration. healthdirect. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dehydration Accessed 9 October 2024)

Hydration. Department of Health, Victorian Government. https://www.health.vic.gov.au/dementia-friendly-environments/hydration (Accessed 9 October 2024)

Good hydration for a person with dementia. Dementia UK. https://www.dementiauk.org/wp-content/uploads/dementia-uk-hydration-leaflet.pdf (Accessed 8 October 2024)