Dear FlyLady,

I just had to share my experience with the importance of drinking water:

My story is from a couple of years ago; my then-92-year-old grandfather was in good health and fairly independent – still mobile, still driving, and even mowing his lawn!

Pretty suddenly, he started to act confused, almost as if he had a mild dementia.  Because it came on suddenly, everyone, including his doctor, suspected a minor stroke. He was admitted to the hospital to be checked over, since minor strokes often predict major ones.

At the hospital, they discovered he was dehydrated, and they gave him an IV.  Guess what?  The “mild dementia” went away!  He hadn’t had a stroke at all!  He had had a bad sore throat the previous week, and he hadn’t been drinking much because it hurt.  The dehydration was his only problem!

So, staying hydrated is so important that it can affect your mental health!  And I wanted to let any Flybabies with elderly family and friends know about this, too.  Since the elderly are less likely to “work up a thirst,” and also are less likely to me mobile enough to easily get themselves a drink, I would suspect they are at a greater risk of dehydration.  I would hate to think anyone is thought to have dementia when they really just need a glass of water!

Thanks for emphasizing the importance of staying hydrated by making it the habit of the month!

A FlyBaby

FlyLady here:  Our habit for June is drinking water……our goal is to stay hydrated!!!!

Another reason the elderly often don’t drink enough water is that it can be difficult for them to get up and down when going to the bathroom.

If you have an elderly friend or relative, please check on them and make sure they are drinking enough water.  Take a look at their bathrooms and see if it is time to add grab rails so they have an easier time getting up and down on the toilet.  This can be a sensitive issue…but it is one that needs to be addressed.

Don’t let something happen to someone you love because they didn’t drink enough water…especially if they are living in an area of the world where it is hot!

FlyLady Rebecca here: Do you have a Testimonial about Drinking your Water? Let us know, and send an email with I LOVE MY WATER NOW in the subject line.