Getting the Alzheimer’s Patient to Drink Adequate Fluids

Getting Mother to drink enough water, or any fluids for that matter, became a challenge as Alzheimer’s progressed.  She was more likely to drink juice or tea than water.  But sometimes even much of those was difficult.

After she’d taken a couple of sips, she’d clamp her lips tightly shut and refuse to open them, much like a child when they don’t want to take medicine or injest something they dislike.  If you got some in her mouth, she’d decide she’d had enough, and spit it out.

At the nursing home, they tried to have water and juice handy for the residents to sip and encourage them whenever there was opportunity.  There was a regular juice and snack time in mid-afternoon.  This was something I also tried when Mother lived in her home and with us.  If I sat down with her for a snack or tea party, she was likely to drink more.  But it took time and scheduling.

An article in a nursing magazine has indicated that lack of hydration is a common problem with elderly people in general, as well as those with Alzheimer’s.  The complete article is located at:

http://www.nursingcenter.com/library/static.asp?pageid=527873