What is healthy hydration?

Your body is mostly made of water, so staying hydrated is important for your health. Drinking enough helps with digestion, keeps your skin healthy, and makes you feel less tired and confused.

Why is hydration important for older people?

People over 65 are more likely to become dehydrated. As you get older, you may not feel as thirsty, and your kidneys don't work as well as they used to. Health problems common in older people, like dementia, can also increase the risk of dehydration, as can being sick.

What is dehydration?

Dehydration happens when you lose more water than you drink. This can be very serious. There are two main ways it can happen:

• Not drinking enough each day, which is common for older people.
• Losing a lot of fluids quickly, like through vomiting or diarrhoea.

What are the effects of dehydration?

Dehydration can make you feel unwell and lower your quality of life. It can even send people to the hospital and slow down recovery. Dehydration can also cause:

• Infections like urinary tract infections (UTIs).
• Tiredness and confusion.
• Memory and concentration problems.
• Constipation.
• More risk of falls and pressure ulcers.
• Slow healing of wounds.