As we head into one of the hottest, if not the hottest seasons on record, it is essential we make sure we all, especially seniors, not only hydrate but replace electrolytes.
One extraordinarily hot summer day when it was 115 degrees, I was boating with friends. I pounded down water, but could not feel hydrated. The next morning at work, something came over me. The room began to spin, and I felt nauseated. I tried walking but was wobbly. I took my pulse. It was 40 beats per minute! I knew for sure something was terribly wrong. Was I having a heart attack? Then, it dawned on me. I was not only dehydrated from the hot day on the river, but I was also electrolyte depleted. This can be a dangerous scenario. One can have a cardiac incident from an electrolyte imbalance. I immediately started drinking *Gatorade, more water, and soon my vital signs returned to normal. I made a trip to the doctor for a checkup and sure enough, I had experienced sunstroke.
We are told to drink plenty of water. On a hot day, however, the water we diligently drink can also flush out electrolytes. So, the important thing to do is to make sure you are not only drinking water but using an electrolyte supplement. I like *Hydrate+. It comes in a powder packet and can be dropped into a bottle of water.
Simple hack for your senior person: Have a box of *Emergen C in their pantry and encourage them to mix in water every day in the summertime. If it is exceptionally warm make sure they have air conditioning and are drinking adequate liquids, and ask them about symptoms of dehydration (lightheadedness, tiredness, lethargy), urinary tract infections (burning on urination, odor, low urine output), or electrolyte imbalance (feel faint, dizzy, and have a thread pulse).
*I am not endorsing these products, I am using them as examples as they are easily recognizable and accessible. Always check with your senior first to see if they are on any restrictions. Some conditions require low sodium or potassium diets. Check with your person’s doctor before using any supplements.