Has anyone had any special problems with the person they are caring for, in relation to staying hydrated and cool during this hot spell of weather?
Yesterday I met a lady who said she was struggling to get her elderly mum and dad to drink enough, because neither of them would entertain drinking water, and, even when reminded, objected and often downright refused.
I guess the ideal is lots of cool water but there are many oldsters, (myself now included), who no longer really enjoy the taste or sensation of drinking water, whether that’s from the tap or bottled water.
It was also definitely the case with my late, elderly, second husband for whom I cared whilst living in the Caribbean, where every day of the year was around 32 degrees C (about 89 degrees F).
So he got by with no more than tea and coffee… lots of it, and though the kettle was constantly on, he came to no harm from it, even in that constant hot climate. So if it’s a struggle, I think it’s worth trying to find out what the person you care for actually wants to drink and just provide that, and don’t get too hung up on its being water. Ultimately, surely you should be able to drink what the heck you want when you get into the final part of your lifespan, so long as it’s enough. Dire warnings about the diuretic effects of some drinks are all well and good, but it’s better to get a constant supply of fluid in there, rather than worrying too much about what’s coming out. The total output is still liable to be less than the input!
One other cooling down trick I employed whilst living in a hot climate was frozen, damp face flannels. I just wet them and wrung them out and packed them individually and flattened out, in small sandwich bags in the freezer and used them either still in the bag, or out of it, as a bit of instant cooling relief, particularly on the forehead or back of the neck. They are very stiff for a few moments when you first bring them out of the freezer, but quickly mould to the shape of the body part they are applied to. They are great not only for the cared-for, but for everyone else too. And as they warm up, you can just repeat the freezing process.
And does anyone else have any handy hints for staying cool?
Interesting post Callendersgal. Pete struggles with just breathing in this hot weather and his back is particularly bad at the moment.
We try and keep the house cooler by closing blinds and most windows but being East/West facing we’re finding the house retains the heat.
We can also get fluids from what we eat i.e. water melon, grapes, salad etc. plus lots of fluids like tea, water, etc. Alcohol is dehydrating but the odd G&T isn’t doing me any harm. 😉
Hi sassy59, that's a real challenge for Pete, and it must be so much worse when your back's extra bad too. It really is a big help to keep blinds and curtains closed if you can. Often people are so wanting the extra air to come in that they don't want to obstruct the air flow but it really can help keep a room much cooler. And a really great point about fluid from foods, especially succulent fruits, for anyone with sufficient appetite. I must admit I've developed a real passion for 'doughnut' peaches straight out of the fridge for the past few days. I'm sure that must be helping with overall hydration.
Great move with the G&T. Now don't give THAT up! Lol
Have a cool day.
• in reply to
Fr0m W1k1ped1a FY1:
Under ultraviolet light, the quinine in tonic water fluoresces.
Tonic water (or Indian tonic water) is a carbonated soft drink in which quinine is dissolved. Originally used as a prophylactic against malaria, tonic water usually now has a significantly lower quinine content and is consumed for its distinctive bitter flavor, which is similar to an extremely sour grapefruit. It is often used in mixed drinks, particularly in gin and tonic.
Quinine
Quinine is a medication used to treat malaria and babesiosis.[2] This includes the treatment of malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum that is resistant to chloroquine when artesunate is not available.[2][3] While used for restless legs syndrome, it is not recommended for this purpose due to the risk of side effects.[2] It can be taken by mouth or used intravenously.[2] Malaria resistance to quinine occurs in certain areas of the world.[2] Quinine is also the ingredient in tonic water that gives it its bitter taste.[4]
Common side effects include headache, ringing in the ears, trouble seeing, and sweating.[2] More severe side effects include deafness, low blood platelets, and an irregular heartbeat.[2]
Use can make one more prone to sunburn. <--- be aware!
• in reply to
That's interesting CarerHMJ. I don't often drink tonic water, and definitely not for the prevention of malaria, but interestingly several ladies, including myself, use it post-Scottish country dancing sessions, as it does help to prevent post-dancing leg cramps.
Any help very welcome at the moment I think, MAS-Nurse. Very best wishes.
Ap0l01es c0mputer br0ken aga1n.
A nurse fr1end b0ught my s0n s0me ur1nalys1s str1ps as she was c0ncerned the darkness 0f h1s ur1ne meant he had a ut1 and 1 tested my s0n's ur1ne yesterday wh1ch sh0wed he was severely dehydrated - h1s spec1f1c grav1ty was very h1gh (but n0 ut1) - but l1ke the lady y0u met, he w0nt dr1nk water. 1ve b0ught f1zzy water and he 1s try1ng t0 dr1nk that. He 1s als0 dr1nk1ng s0ft f1zzy dr1nks and eat1ng 1ce l0ll1es and s0me fru1t. F0r us 1ts a case 0f c0nstantly rem1nd1ng h1m t0 dr1nk and mak1ng dr1nks ava1lable. !ts espec1ally hard when y0ur caree 1s bedb0und, the car1ng resp0ns1b1l1ty 1s 1ncreased but necessary. ! understand Adult men need 3 1/2 ltrs 0f water 1n th1s weather t0 stay pr0perly hydrated. The pa1n 1s 1ncreased by the heat and he 1s reluctant t0 dr1nk as 1t hurts s0 much t0 s1t up, s0 us1ng s1pper b0ttles, access1ble cups and straws (paper 0f c0urse) helps.
Hi again Carer HMJ. It sounds as if you've come up with some good strategies for trying to get your son to drink more. I should think the ice-lollies might be a welcome treat whilst it's so warm. And it's quite a tall order persuading someone who is reluctant to drink, to get them to take 3 1/2 litres of fluid, so it's a good job you are so ingenious and provide as many aids to encourage him as possible. Best wishes.
Hi, thanks for your advice. I totally agree with you. Any non alcoholic liquid is better than none. Also water melon and fruit is really good. Fine water sprays on your face as long as this is tolerated can be helpful and cool foot baths.
Hugs and lots of love to all you hard-working carers out there.
Just had a conversation with a fellow carer. They are having a novel problem with sleeping in the heat. They've developed nocturia. The heat is making us sweat more and with that we lose electrolytes. I thought I'd share this?
Nocturia (nighttime urination) has many triggers. But if you find yourself waking up two to four times a night to pee—even when you limit your evening drinking your balance of water and electrolytes may be off, says Jonathan Steele, RN, executive director of WaterCures.org. If you consume too much water without enough salt, your body may try to jettison some H20, which may explain why you're waking up in the middle of the night to pee.
Sleep solution: About 30 minutes before going to sleep, drink a small glass of water with a pinch of unprocessed sea salt, Steele suggests. "Unprocessed salt helps the water to get into all of our cells," he says. You need to take the salt with H20 to ensure your body retains both, he adds.
I once got a sharp telling off ffrom another customerinthe supermarket for buying crisps to get Victor's blood pressure up a bit. She meant well but could have been more tactful.
My house faces south-ish so before the sun shines onto the walls aoutside I open all he widows and have a good blow through. AS soon as the ground starts to heat up outside I shut ALL the southfacing windows and blinds and curtains (My daughter in France uses the same system) and keep them shut until the ground outside starts to cool off.
I had trouble with a carer once who insisted on opening the bedroom window if it was hot "to let the air in" and turning the room into an oven because the air she was letting in was hotter than the room. The hot air from the brick wall under the window just rose up and poured into the windows.. In fact that is a good way of warming the place up free on a still sunny winter day, especially if you have top hung windows
When we had the garage converted into a downstairs bedroom we had the maximum insulation put in to keep he sun on the flat roof from cooking him. Its still the nicest room in the house this weather.
I have climbers allover the back of the house, including summer jasmine which smells lovely and these help to insulate the walls as well as being a nest site for the birds.
Sorry for the late reply FredaE, yes, I had the same problem with my son. A cheap solution I have found is that you can buy blackout curtain liners off Ebay for the curtains that just hook to the back of your existing curtains (if you don't already have black out curtains installed). These provide extra insulation from the heat of the day, as well as warmth in winter. You do have to be careful to ensure your caree has enough vitamin D though, as light deprivation can cause problems too? We also did the same as you - let the garden run riot in the front - we don't mind, it gives a lovely subdued green hue to the room, and is a great haven for wildlife, as you say. Will be making blackberry jam with the blackberries from the brambles this year!
Hi FredaE, Oh those well-meaning people who think they know better than you and tell you so in the unkindest of ways!
What I love in your post is the summer jasmine, smelling lovely and helping to insulate, whilst giving a home to birds. What a great vision that conjures up.
I think it's really good if you can find some kind of cooler corner in your home to retreat to. My apartment is scorchingly hot and unpleasant during the day, but thankfully, by bedtime, the bedroom has cooled quite a bit, and whilst still too warm really, is bearable after a quick shower.
The cat has retreated to the rear of the apartment where some cool air creeps in under the main door and he stretches out there, unmoving, for most of the day.
It's definitely not a good idea to fling windows wide if they are letting in hot air. Much better to close blinds and curtains and keep the glare of the sun out, I think.
Thanks for all your input, and I'll definitely keep that vision of some pretty cool and comfortable birds dwelling in your jasmine scented wall!
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