July 2023- Summer Hydration Strategies

Saturday, July 1, 2023

Our brain health is dependent upon sufficient hydration of brain cells in order to clear toxins and waste, and support nutrient distribution.

Research has linked adequate hydration to improved decision making and clarity of thinking. Proper hydration has many other benefits:

• It supports bladder health help prevent UTI’s (bladder infections)
• It decreases dizziness and spells of low blood pressure that may impact falls.

Through understanding of our Memory Bouquet levels we are able to support our person living with dementia as well as their care partners and loved ones in successful hydration strategies.

For example:

The Lily

• May be taught hydration strategies through an alarm that reminds them every morning to set-up a hydration station for the day.

The Daisy

• May need an alarm and visual cues, in strategic spots, to remind them to drink enough water throughout the day.
• A visual cue on the bathroom mirror to drink a full cup of water when they wash hands.
• A visual cue on the refrigerator to remind them to drink a cup of water with every meal or snack.
• Another reminder by their medication box to take their medicine with a full cup of water.

The Violet

• They need a hydration routine and set-up by their care partner.
• They need verbal encouragement as well to follow through with the task of drinking.

The Rose

• In addition to Violet recommendations, our Rose may need tactile cueing to engage with their drink as well as continues support until the task of drinking one cup is completed.

The Bouquet Level

• The care partner has to take on the responsibility to keep our person hydrated adequately at the right time and in the correct way. This includes set-up, tactile cueing and verbal cueing until person is successfully hydrated.

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Tips and Tricks

To assist you and your person in success:

• Keep popsicles handy (Consider pure fruit)
• Ice-cream (Favorite flavors)
• Jelly (In cubes or traditional form)
• Smoothies (Add protein if nutrition is at stake)
• Flavored water (Add visual interest especially important starting at Violet stage)
• Colored water
• Add fun elements to the water such as fresh fruit or fun ice-cubes (If choking is not a concern)

Contact our team if you have difficulties keeping your person hydrated. Happy Summer!