Link Between Proper Hydration and Dementia for Seniors

Maintaining proper hydration is one of the keystone habits of healthy living. Hydration is important not just for our bodies, but for our brains as well. This is true for people of all ages, but some members of our society are at particular risk of dehydration as well as the negative health impacts it has on the body and brain. Studies show a link between dehydration and cognitive decline, and seniors are especially vulnerable to both.  Read on for more information. 

What is dehydration?

Dehydration is defined as insufficient fluid in the body.  Every person is different, from their body weight to their activity level to the climate they live in, so the exact amount of water needed daily will vary from one individual to the next. In general, however, drinking 8 cups of water daily should be sufficient for an average sized person with a moderate activity level who lives in a mild climate. Water aids the body in a thousand different ways, including: cushions the joints; flushes out bacteria; regulates body temperature; and transports oxygen, vitamins, and minerals to the brain. Dehydration has a negative impact on all bodily systems. 

What is cognitive decline?

Cognitive decline refers to a reduction in one or more cognitive abilities across the lifespan of an adult. Cognitive functions include memory, attention, communication, judgment, learning, and logic and reasoning. Age-related cognitive decline is subtle and typically affects attention and processing speed. Mild cognitive impairment refers to cognitive decline that’s more advanced than expected, but the individual is still able to maintain their daily life. Dementia refers to cognitive decline that disrupts a person’s ability to carry out everyday tasks. 

Seniors, dehydration, and cognitive decline

As mentioned above, studies show clear links between seniors, dehydration, and cognitive decline. If you’re looking for a solid argument to convince your loved one to  maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine, drink plenty of water, and engage in brain-healthy activities, these 4 should do the trick.  

 #1. Seniors are vulnerable to cognitive decline

The longer a person lives, the more likely they are to accumulate factors that put them at risk for cognitive decline. In addition to their age, these factors may include:

• Medication side-effects

• Hormone imbalances

• Metabolic imbalances

• Vitamin deficiencies

• Infection

• Brain damage

• Neurodegenerative condition

• Toxins

Of course, no single factor on this list is always directly linked to an decrease in cognitive decline, but each one increases the risk. 

#2. Seniors are at risk of dehydration

The aging process changes not just the way we look, but in the way our bodies function as well. Some of these changes have a direct impact on our hydration levels. For example, muscle tissue holds significantly more water than fat cells, so as you lose muscle mass in advanced age, you have less water stored in your body. This puts you at greater risk of dehydration. In addition to changes in body composition, other factors that put seniors at greater risk of dehydration include: 

• Diminished thirst signal

• Diminished kidney function

• Consumption of alcohol and caffeine

• Medications

Fortunately, many of these risk factors can be easily addressed with a consistent water consumption schedule.

#3. Dehydration increases the risk of cognitive decline

Just like all the other systems in our body, our brains need water to function properly. Studies have shown that the strain of dehydration causes a decline in performance on complex cognitive tasks, particularly those involving attention, executive function, and motor coordination. Dehydration can cause:

• Poor concentration

• Increased reaction times

• Short-term memory problems

• Agitation

• Low mood

You can help support your loved one’s brain health by supporting their hydration. 

#4. Cognitive decline can increase the risk of dehydration

Our brain serves us in a variety of different ways, many that go unnoticed until an important function is disrupted. Not only does hydration affect our brains, but our brains can affect our hydration levels as well. When cognitive decline occurs, the chances of dehydration increase because the individual may:

• Forget to drink

• Be unable to communicate their thirst

• Have difficulty with the mechanics of drinking (turning on the faucet, filling the glass, etc)

• Forget the steps for quenching thirst

• Not recognize that they are thirsty

Dehydration is not the root cause of dementia, but in some cases, rehydration can restore functioning lost due to dehydration.  If your loved one is having trouble eating and hydrating properly, maintaining healthy habits, or otherwise taking care of themselves, they may be a good fit for our Dementia Care Center in San Diego. 

Dementia Occupational Therapy in San Diego at Bella Vista Health Center

At Bella Vista Health Center, our dementia occupational therapists work with clients who suffer from dementia and other types of memory loss.  The goal of the Occupational Therapy program here at our 5-Star skilled nursing facility is to address the challenges that interfere with a patient’s ability to perform daily tasks and provide a treatment plan to overcome them. Our entire staff is committed to helping each patient reach their therapeutic goals and maximize their independence. For more information on Bella Vista Health Center’s skilled nursing facility or Occupational Therapy program, please contact us at (619) 644-1000.

How To Care For Someone With Dementia

The coronavirus pandemic has upended our lives in numerous ways.  Devastating losses and drastic changes in our everyday lives and recreational activities have resulted in high levels of stress for people all over the globe. If you’re a caregiver for someone with dementia, chances are, the pandemic has compounded your stresses. Not only do you have the added anxieties of caring for someone who is more vulnerable to the virus, but you may also find yourself with additional responsibilities that were once shared  by visiting service workers and family members. Although the global pandemic is out of your control, there are some things you can do to help loved one cope with the changes. 

Establish a daily routine

Routine is crucial for people with dementia. Daily structure provides familiarity and gives the individual a sense of control and independence, reducing stress and anxiety. If you can help your loved one establish a routine with their waking and sleep times, bathing and meal times, and activity and rest times, it will go a long way toward providing them with a greater sense of peace. 

Create a soothing and engaging environment

People with dementia are sensitive to their environment.  Overstimulation can cause them to become agitated and increasingly confused.  On the other hand, a lack of stimulation can result in depression and lethargy.  It’s important to create a dementia-friendly environment. Here are some ideas:

• Use soft, filtered lighting instead of harsh overhead lights

• Avoid loud noises and decrease excessive background sounds

• Play music at moderate levels to soothe without interfering with thought processes

• Remove clutter so useful items are easy to find

• Keep useful items in their designated spaces

• Label cabinets with what’s inside

• Decorate with soothing colors

• Keep the temperature comfortable

• Keep doors open and rooms easy to navigate

• Display a few familiar items such as family photos

• Create cozy corners and activity areas that invite engagement

A calm, predictable environment will support your loved one’s independence with their daily routines. 

Help with social distancing and personal hygiene 

It’s important to remember that dementia affects short-term memory first. The changes brought on by the coronavirus pandemic may still feel new for people with dementia.

Your loved one may need to be reminded to practice social distancing, wash their hands thoroughly, and wear a mask. The more you can embed reminders into the daily routine and the environment, the more familiar he or she will become with these protective measures. Try putting a bottle of hand sanitizer next to their favorite chair and a clean mask on the console table next to the front door. This will help your loved one remember to use these items regularly. Be sure to lead by example and provide gentle reminders when necessary. 

Try delivery services

If you’re caring for someone with dementia, especially during the pandemic, you can use all the help you can get. Grocery delivery services can save you time and frustration as well as limiting your loved one’s contact with others who may carry the virus.  You also have the option of different food delivery services that can provide you with everything from restaurant meals to freshly made foods customized to specialty diets.  If your loved one likes to cook, you may want to try meal delivery services that provide exact amounts of each ingredient necessary to create delicious recipes. 

Take advantage of online services

One thing that has changed for the better during the COVID-19 pandemic is our ability to socialize with people who are far away and participate in activities without the risk of contracting the virus. Virtual church services, telehealth services, family game nights on Zoom, and live online entertainment such as dance and musical performances can all be wonderful ways to help your loved one stay engaged and socially stimulated.  Whether he or she plays chess, enjoys book clubs, or loves Zumba dancing, you’ll find any number of online services and activities that bring them pleasure. 

Bella Vista Health Center is here for you

If your loved one needs dementia care in San Diego than you can manage on your own, it’s ok to reach out for help. At Bella Vista Health Center, our in-house occupational therapists are highly skilled and compassionate providers who can help your loved one with demental maximize their strengths and adapt to changes in healthy ways so that they can thrive during these troubling times. 

Call (619) 644-1000 to partner with us in helping your loved one live their best life.

Risk Factors for Dementia | What You Should Know

Dementia is an umbrella term that encompasses a range of conditions associated with mental decline severe enough to interfere with a person’s daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, followed by vascular
dementia, which occurs after a stroke. Some types of dementia are irreversible, while others, such as those caused by thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies, can be reversed.

Many people believe dementia is a normal part of aging. This is not true. While
dementia is more common in people over age 65, it is not a normal symptom of
getting older. Dementia can affect memory, communication, focus, reasoning, and
visual perception, and the symptoms gradually get worse over time. While the
causes of dementia are not always known, there are some risk factors to be aware
of.

Risk factors for dementia

Age is the greatest risk factor for developing dementia. Genetics play a role, too.
While there’s nothing we can do to change our DNA or stop time, there are a number
of modifiable risk factors that we can do something about in order to lower the
likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Take a
look below at some of the major risk factors, and talk to your doctor about how to
keep your brain as healthy as possible for as long as you can.

• Cardiovascular disease

The vascular system is comprised of the heart and the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. When this system is compromised, the brain suffers and the risk of dementia increases. Living a heart healthy lifestyle can reduce your likelihood of developing dementia.

• Physical inactivity and obesity

Just 10 or 20 minutes a day of walking can significantly decrease the risk for developing dementia. Walking improves cerebral blood flow and lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease, another risk factor for dementia.

• Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is associated with obesity and lack of exercise. It raises
the risk of heart disease and stroke, which damage the blood vessels. It also causes
an imbalance in essential chemicals that the brain needs for optimal functioning.
Studies have shown that adults with Type 2 diabetes are at risk of later developing
dementia.

• Sleep disorders

Sleep apnea, insomnia, and other disorders that affect the duration and quality of sleep can, if left untreated, have a lasting effect on the brain. People who suffer from sleep apnea in particular are two to three times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than those who don’t. Talk to your doctor if you’re
not sleeping well.

• Depression

Researchers found that depressed older adults were more than twice as likely to develop vascular dementia and 65% more likely to develop Alzheimer’s than people of the same age who did not suffer from depression. If you suffer from depression, treatment is available.

• Head injury

Not every head injury leads to an elevated risk of developing dementia, but research does point toward links between moderate, severe, and repeated traumatic brain injuries. Seniors over age 75 have the highest rate of traumatic brain injury related hospitalization due to falls. Injury prevention is an important part of maintaining optimal health in advanced age.

• Drug and alcohol consumption

Drugs and alcohol kill brain cells at a faster rate than aging does. One study showed that mid-life binge drinkers are three times more likely to have dementia by age 65 than those who did not binge drink.

• Smoking

Cigarette smoking negatively affects many different parts of our bodies, and it should come as no surprise that this includes the brain. Not only are the chemical toxins in cigarettes harmful, but smoking can also cause cerebrovascular disease, which leads to stroke and further damage to blood vessels. Smokers are also more likely to have sleep apnea, another risk factor for dementia.

Recovery and rehabilitation at Bella Vista Health Center

Cardiovascular health is crucial for maintaining optimal brain health. If you or someone you love has recently suffered from a heart attack or a stroke, our cardiac and stroke rehabilitation programs can help you recover, regain independence, and lower your risk of developing dementia and other complications. For more
information on our cardiac rehab, stroke rehab, pulmonary rehab, or other programs and services, drop by our 5-star skilled nursing facility in Lemon Grove today or give us a call at (619) 644-1000.