Changes in behavior due to dehydration?
Has anyone noticed worsening changes in behavior or symptoms in their loved one as a result of dehydration? How did you figure out that this was the issue? What did you do?
As our father's caregivers, the changes were somewhat noticeable. Dad's lips were becoming dry, and his voice became hoarse. Our father needed to be reminded to drink, so we gave him a larger cup with a sturdy handle for easier gripping. The cup had a lid and a straw to help him drink more than just a sip. We supplied him with water, but other drinks, like fresh juice, were added. To help him, Dad needed consistent reminders to drink at different intervals throughout the day to stay well hydrated. Our reminders to drink and, with support from his caretaker team, allowed us to observe improvements in his dry mouth and lips, along with the use of chapstick, lessened his occurrences with UTIs and helped to regulate his digestion. Nancy Team member
