Photo: Flickr/Mussi Katz
Recently, I had an online conversation with a gal from my STU Vanier Hall days. A member of the Elsipogtog First Nation, a polio survivor and a wheelchair user since childhood, she is now a senior impacted by the implications of post-polio syndrome; what can best be described as the ‘wearing out’ syndrome.
Like me, as I age with CP, she and I share a common feature of the process of growing old with disability. Because we use our good muscles to compensate for deficits, we wear them out more quickly than the able-bodied. In my case, my shoulders, elbows and wrists are impacted by the greatest wear and tear as a result of alternating use of crutches and wheelchair and the constant extending of my arm to use my hand to touch ‘the spot’ as I walk about. That being so, I have frequent sessions with my TENS unit.
My friend admits she doesn’t drink enough water; she used to, telling me that getting to the bathroom was a challenge as she needed help and she didn’t like being dependent on others. I told her to get over herself! To my way of thinking, if she has help, she should drink up and hydrate her body as required so that it performs well, from head to toe. She did say she’d try to step up her intake and see how she feels. I pointed out that once she gets a routine established it will be easier to accommodate bathroom visits. She acknowledges gratitude for a husband who’s ‘in it for the long haul’, who would do anything for her. No doubt he’ll keep her supplied with the water she needs to stay healthy.
In BC, just this past week, 719 deaths were attributed to the heat wave that grabbed the province in a poker-hot grip. That’s a wake-up call, folks. Water, water must be everywhere; available especially to children and older adults who may not remember to drink up! Frequent fill-ups are vital to those populations to ensure that they don’t suffer from heat-related collapse.
Friendly visiting of home alone seniors is a way that we can contribute to community wellness. How many of those who died in BC were home alone seniors or persons with challenges to daily living? In the nursing home setting particularly, care staff must be diligent about making the rounds with pitchers of ice water, encouraging water drinking and helping those who are challenged accommodating the need. Necessary as well is assisting with bathroom needs, since they’re going to be increased.
Sufficient water intake contributes to a greater level of alertness and concurrent lessening of combativeness which is found in some patients with early, or even fully involved dementia. Sufficient hydration really does improve mood and that makes life more pleasant for everyone. After all, our bodies are approximately 60% water so filling up after a bathroom visit is a good way to get into the habit of keeping the ‘fuel tank’ full.
Symptoms of dehydration in the elderly may sometimes be subtle, but not drinking enough water and fluids can have impact on aging bodies such as mine. Severe dehydration can lead to confusion, weakness, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, bedsores in bedridden patients, and other serious conditions. Though I do walk, I limit moving about, particularly in really hot weather, opting to ‘sit it out’ with a binge watch of a favorite TV series. Give me winter!
During these extended periods of dangerously hot weather, we must look after ourselves and drink water. From the medical/physical perspective, severe dehydration is a potentially life-threatening emergency and can cause serious damage to kidneys, heart, and brain; to avoid severe dehydration, respond to signs of dehydration by drinking fluids that rehydrate. Consuming hydrating foods is another way to take care of yourself; watermelon, strawberries, oranges, peaches and canteloupe, to name a few, are ideal hydrating foods. Those on fixed incomes might look to sharing cost of an assortment of ‘good eats’. There are lots of creative ways to stay hydrated and healthy during hot weather. What are your tips to stay cool?
Carla MacInnis Rockwell is a freelance writer and disability rights advocate living outside Fredericton, NB with Miss Lexie, a rambunctious Maltese and Mr. Malcolm, the boisterous Havanese. She can be reached via email at Carla MacInnis Rockwell
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