Drink Up This Summer: Dehydration Is a Commonly Overlooked Health Risk for Seniors
Aug 01, 2025
As the temperature rises, so does the risk of dehydration. While everyone is at risk of dehydration, seniors are especially vulnerable. Signs of dehydration can go unnoticed in older adults, placing them at greater risk of complications.
At Wynantskill Family Medicine in Wynantskill, New York, our family medicine physicians, Dr. Ritchie Parrotta and Dr. Scott Parrotta, specialize in managing the health needs of older adults.
Here, we discuss some commonly overlooked health risks associated with dehydration in seniors and why it’s so important to drink up.
A lot changes as we get older. Not only do we slow down, but many of our vital functions slow down as well. Some of the reasons it’s harder for seniors to stay hydrated include:
As you get older, your ability to sense thirst declines. You may not realize you’re thirsty, and by the time you feel parched, you’re dehydrated.
Although urinary incontinence becomes more common with age, it’s not normal. That said, you may not want to drink water for fear it could worsen your bladder control. Unfortunately, drinking less can backfire, putting you at risk of dehydration and other health consequences.
Whether it’s Alzheimer’s, dementia, or age-related memory loss, you may forget to drink fluids with meals or in between.
Older adults often take multiple medications, some of which may affect your sense of thirst or cause an increase in urination, both of which can increase your risk of dehydration.
Due to changes in immune health, seniors are more susceptible to contagious illnesses, such as colds and the flu, and more likely to experience serious symptoms. Fever, diarrhea, or vomiting can cause rapid dehydration, especially if you’re not drinking enough to start.
Whether it’s one issue or multiple, seniors who don’t drink enough can become dehydrated quickly if they don’t stay on top of their fluid intake.
Since the natural thirst sensation diminishes, you or your loved one may not realize that dehydration is looming or already present. Common signs of dehydration to watch for include:
Unexplained weight loss may also occur with dehydration.
In most cases, the less serious symptoms above are the only ones you’ll have to deal with. However, dehydration can lead to more serious health issues for seniors, such as:
Dehydration from an illness may also affect electrolyte balance, leading to life-threatening conditions that affect heart function.
Though fluid needs vary, most older adults should drink about 10 cups of water a day. If you or your loved one isn’t drinking enough, these tips can help:
If you have concerns about your drinking habits or those of a loved one, now is the time to reach out. We can evaluate your fluid intake and medical history and provide specific recommendations to help you stay hydrated and healthy.
Contact our office by phone or online today to get the guidance and support you need.