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How do you encourage adequate hydration?

Posted by babbsjoy @babbsjoy, 3 days ago

Dad is 94 and has Chronic Kidney Disease and heart issues, amongst other things. It seems like he just will not hydrate without being prompted now, except for coffee. His health situation is now one where we are walking a fine fragile line of adequate hydration, versus his body retaining liquids and having to use water pills, then fighting dehydration and lower BP (after hospitalization with fluids, where we are now, is especially challenging). For a long time he stayed in balance by my taking him a particular portion of water with each med time, he would drink it all each time and then that, plus his usual amount of coffee, would measure up to the amount his nephrologist gave for daily fluid including coffee per day. I could spread out the meds throughout the day, so he received hydration fairly evenly through the day this way. Then he started not finishing the water when taking the med, and drinking more coffee. Now he is very annoyed when given any expectation of hydration (and is expressing annoyance at taking meds as well, even though he currently has to take fewer and I have combined some of the times so he isn’t bothered by taking something so frequently. But then, I have to make up for the hydration part of that by offering something just to consume.) I am trying things like making lactose free milkshakes, Italian ice, zero sugar fruit juice, watermelon and grapes, soup, etc. Seems to help but he is also a guy that quickly gets tired of something after having it a couple of times, so I am running out of new ideas for rotation! He has to really watch salt and potassium because of the kidney situation, so no coconut water, liquid iv, or sports drinks are allowed. I really hate to nag, and find it’s so stressful setting my phone alarm to remind me to take him something interesting to encourage hydration throughout the day. And of course, he finds it beyond irritating even if I do it with a “light” attitude of “Here, thought you might enjoy this.” (Because he knows the doc has said hydration is an issue so he sees through what I’m doing.) Any ideas?

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babbsjoy | @babbsjoy | 15 hours ago
In reply to @gingerw "@babbsjoy Awesome to hear! And, I really truly echo what @cehunt Cheryl mentioned in her post...." + (show)
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@babbsjoy Awesome to hear!

And, I really truly echo what @cehunt Cheryl mentioned in her post. Letting your dad know he has a part in his decisions taking meds is critical! When my dad was in a skilled nursing facility, he started balking at his nighttime medications. My sister used to bribe him with a "toddy", which he enjoyed. One evening he wanted a toddy, she said "no", and it was a standoff! I recall looking over at her, and including him in my response. ""Hey, Xxxx, put yourself in his place. What harm will a toddy do, really?" He got his toddy, got his meds. He was happy, I was relieved, my sister was p***ed off. Oh, well!
Ginger

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@gingerw
Thank you for sharing your wisdom/experience. I have told dad that taking his meds are HIS choice, but until he decides he is not going to take them, I will be offering them to him. I want him to always feel as much in control of his life as possible. He has said that he never wants to be in pain. I invited him to discuss with his doctors what he could expect if he stops taking his meds—if he would have pain, if that is something he truly wants to consider. I also always tell him what I’m handing him, so he knows what he is taking. But as far as his deciding times to take and accessing them himself, he is sadly no longer able to manage that (eyesight loss, fine motor skills, memory, etc).

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