Dehydration can cause a range of symptoms from brain fog to kidney stones. It can affect people at any age but can be particularly burdensome to vulnerable older adults.
Studies show a high prevalence of chronic dehydration among older adults, which suggests that age elevates dehydration risks. Different definitions of hydration have yielded different statistics on the prevalence of dehydration in older adults, but the numbers range from around 40% to up to 66%.
These stats highlight the importance of staying hydrated for seniors.
Why Hydration Matters More With Age
Dehydration can make anyone feel tired, cranky or dizzy, but in older adults, it’s been associated with worse negative health outcomes. Research has shown dehydration to adversely impact cognitive performance, metabolic and renal disease, length of hospital stay, likelihood of hospital readmission, poor prognosis and mortality risk.
