Caregivers of all types will find many tips and links at this page.

#1 11-09-2006, 04:06 AM

http://seniorark.com/senior_links_caregiver.htm

For example, Tip #11: 11. WATER We can help the elderly by making sure
they have bottled water, confirming that they can conceptualize 64
ounces, and by helping them understand what is and is not considered
proper hydration. Especially during the heat, one should have 64 ounces
of water a day. It is essential for all of us, particularly the
elderly, to have water to move nutrients and medication through the
body. Since more than half of the body is water, joints, organs and
body temperature rely on an adequate daily intake.
We all need to remind ourselves to drink more water as the temperature
rises. Many seniors consider iced tea an adequate substitute, but they
should be reminded that if it is caffeinated, it will act as a diuretic
and cause fluid loss

#2 11-09-2006, 04:06 AM

"SeniorARK" <seniorark@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1160325305.641178.301260@i42g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> http://seniorark.com/senior_links_caregiver.htm
>
> For example, Tip #11: 11. WATER We can help the elderly by making sure
> they have bottled water, confirming that they can conceptualize 64
> ounces, and by helping them understand what is and is not considered
> proper hydration. Especially during the heat, one should have 64 ounces
> of water a day. It is essential for all of us, particularly the
> elderly, to have water to move nutrients and medication through the
> body. Since more than half of the body is water, joints, organs and
> body temperature rely on an adequate daily intake.
> We all need to remind ourselves to drink more water as the temperature
> rises. Many seniors consider iced tea an adequate substitute, but they
> should be reminded that if it is caffeinated, it will act as a diuretic
> and cause fluid loss

Really?

I hope that the rest of the information you provide is more
accurate than this.

Have a look at:
http://ajpregu.physiology.org/cgi/co...ull/283/5/R993

It turns out, if the above article is correct, that 64 ounces of
water a day is a myth which has never been established by any
scientific study. Actual numbers range from half that to 3-4
times that, depending on the circumstances of the individual -
body mass, age, environmental temperature and humidity, activity
level, and so on.

The role of caffeine as a diuretic is also questionable. One
study that actually tested it found that "advising people to
disregard caffeinated beverages as part of the daily fluid intake
is not substantiated by the results".

There are a lot of well meaning people who read third hand
medical advice that amounts to little more than myth propagated
in shlock magazines and internet sites - and assume they are
reading scientific facts. They then re-publish those supposed
"facts" and re-inforce the myths.

This isn't doing anyone any good.

Alan

#3 11-09-2006, 04:07 AM

Alan Meyer wrote:
> "SeniorARK" <seniorark@aol.com> wrote in message
> news:1160325305.641178.301260@i42g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> > http://seniorark.com/senior_links_caregiver.htm
> >
> > For example, Tip #11: 11. WATER We can help the elderly by making sure
> > they have bottled water, confirming that they can conceptualize 64
> > ounces, and by helping them understand what is and is not considered
> > proper hydration. Especially during the heat, one should have 64 ounces
> > of water a day. It is essential for all of us, particularly the
> > elderly, to have water to move nutrients and medication through the
> > body. Since more than half of the body is water, joints, organs and
> > body temperature rely on an adequate daily intake.
> > We all need to remind ourselves to drink more water as the temperature
> > rises. Many seniors consider iced tea an adequate substitute, but they
> > should be reminded that if it is caffeinated, it will act as a diuretic
> > and cause fluid loss
>
> Really?
>
> I hope that the rest of the information you provide is more
> accurate than this.
>
> Have a look at:
> http://ajpregu.physiology.org/cgi/co...ull/283/5/R993
>
> It turns out, if the above article is correct, that 64 ounces of
> water a day is a myth which has never been established by any
> scientific study. Actual numbers range from half that to 3-4
> times that, depending on the circumstances of the individual -
> body mass, age, environmental temperature and humidity, activity
> level, and so on.
>
> The role of caffeine as a diuretic is also questionable. One
> study that actually tested it found that "advising people to
> disregard caffeinated beverages as part of the daily fluid intake
> is not substantiated by the results".
>
> There are a lot of well meaning people who read third hand
> medical advice that amounts to little more than myth propagated
> in shlock magazines and internet sites - and assume they are
> reading scientific facts. They then re-publish those supposed
> "facts" and re-inforce the myths.
>
> This isn't doing anyone any good.
>
> Alan

For the record, I would like to record that Bob Fassbach at
SeniorArk responded immediately to this message by
researching the issue of hydration, finding authoritative
information, and replacing the oversimplified tip on the
SeniorArk website with more comprehensive information and
a link to in depth information at the Mayo clinic.

The SeniorArk project appears to be very serious about
doing a good job and getting things right. I am impressed.

Alan