Archived Issue: August 2009

HOME VISITS

A complimentary new service for seniors.

At Emeritus Senior Living, we recognize that some of our local seniors may want to live at home as long as they can.

To support this choice, Emeritus offers a complimentary home visit. Whether it's a listening ear, a safety check, a follow-up to hospitalization or just an enjoyable visit, we're here to help.

You don't have to live with us in order for us to help!

The Importance of Staying Hydrated

Water makes up more than half of your body weight, and a person can't survive for more than a few days without it. Why? Your body has lots of important jobs and it needs water to do many of them. For instance, your blood, which contains a lot of water, carries oxygen to all the cells of your body. Without oxygen, those tiny cells would die and your body would stop working.

Top 10 Signs of Dehydration

• Thirst
• Sunken eyes
• Dry mouth
• Irritability
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Muscle weakness
• Decreased urine output
• Increased heart rate
• Fever

Don't wait for the warning signs...

Drink a glass of water or other fluids every couple of hours during the day to prevent confusion, impaired physical performance and loss of appetite.

Helpful tips and tricks that you can do to keep hydrated during the summer months:

• Instead of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, make "mocktails" by blending tea, water or lemonade with lightly carbonated flavored water, sparkling apple or grape juice.
• Popsicles, sorbets and gelatin desserts are great sources of fluid.
• Add lemon or lime to hot or cold water to give it a refreshing taste.
• Add club soda or seltzer water to fruit juices to dilute their concentration and add a little sparkle.
• Decaf iced coffee and tea are refreshing beverage options to keep you cool and hydrated.

Did you know that our sense of smell and taste naturally declines as we age?

It is crucial for those over 60 to drink enough water. Dehydration is one of the most frequent causes of hospitalization for seniors. As a person ages, total water in the body decreases, and there is often a reduced sense of thirst. A person may not drink enough to satisfy the body's needs (about 6 to 8 glasses a day).

Dry mouth – whether due to medication or simply dehydration – can adversely affect your sense of taste. A diminished sense of taste and smell make food less appetizing.

It is important to drink 6-8 glasses of water daily in order to stay hydrated and energized throughout the day.

Learn how you can save on your monthly rent.

At Emeritus Senior Living, we help seniors meet their financial needs by partnering with several senior financial solution providers and by developing special programs.

Some of these programs include veterans benefits, a funding group to help seniors raise funds for housing, loan programs, shared living accommodations, and more.

This Senior Living Answer was published on August 1, 2009 and updated on September 3, 2009.