Older Adults are in Danger of Dehydration! Dehydration is more serious than you may think.

My sister recently spent two months in the hospital, because of a serious fungal infection. After six weeks the life threatening infection subsided. However a side effect of her long-term hospitalization was dehydration. Another side-effect was dementia.

I don't know which came first, the dementia or the dehydration. But I suspect it was the dehydration that caused the dementia in her case.

She lived two thousand miles away from me, so I was unable to see her at first. But I realized her mental capabilities were declining when on the phone with her. So, I went to see her with the determination to help her.

She was a mess. The medical staff didn't know her, so they didn't know how strong, active and smart she was just four months earlier.

In addition, she had a serious shaking problem, tremors. The doctors didn’t know what caused the tremors, but thankfully she tested negative for seizures.

My Knowledge of the Symptoms of Dehydration and Experience With Ionized Water Benefits Helped to Save My Sister's Life

The first thing I thought of when I got to the hospital and saw my sister was that she was severely dehydrated. Her skin was terribly wrinkled and dry. Her hair was even dry and kinky. When I asked about it they vaguely said they give her water.

However there was no one monitoring how much water she drank. I also asked about the dementia. One nurse answered that dementia was common in hospitals.

She also developed severe tremors, which kept her from being able to stand or even sit.

My instant reaction was, "Wow. She's on death's door and nobody is noticing it." I'm not a doctor but do have education and experience in physiology.

I also know the dangers of dehydration and the benefits of ionized water. So I put my knowledge to work.

My theory was the following:

1. Without thinking my sister forgot to pay attention to drinking enough water. This is a common type of thing that happens in older adults.
2. No one noticed the symptoms of dehydration in my sister.
3. The tremors and mental decline came after and because of the dehydration.

Putting My Theory to Practice Helped My Sister's Tremors to Go Away and Mental Clarity to Return

At first it was tough, because my sister couldn’t get herself interested in drinking much water.

With lots of encouragement, I got my sister's daily water consumption up to about twenty ounces per day. She had been drinking ten. This was still way less water than the 50 ounces she should be minimally drinking, but even so she improved a little.

The Nature of Hospitals

The hospital provided good care, but didn’t seem to be too interested (or able for that matter) to ensure she got enough water. In other words, they gave her the water, but didn’t ensure she drank it.

The Solution to My Sister’s Dehydration & Dementia

My sister finally improved a lot when we brought her home. This is when I added extra water to her G-tube feedings and other tricky things to get more water into her. I also gave her ionized water, which prevents dehydration and cures it.

Giving Water Through G-Tube

Our “Solution” Was Like a Miracle

Who would have thought that a solution to tremors and dementia would or could be something so simple as water? After coming home, when given the right amount of water my sister’s tremors went away quickly.

Also her dementia improved. She was soon standing (with assistance) and there was no shaking. She appeared to be closer to her normal self, mentally.

With persistence of our routine, her natural appetite and “thirst” was turning back on.

We still had a good deal more to go, but we had to make up for three months of neglect for water and exercise. At least we now KNEW what was causing her tremors and dementia.

After this experience we are convinced that dehydration caused the major obstacles to my sister’s healing. We’re also convinced that we could have lost her if we didn’t find this solution to the problem.

Important Notes

Thousands of studies show the dangers of dehydration. Both of my parents died of other causes, but I now suspect dehydration was at the root. People with dementia are in even more danger of dehydration than the ordinary older adult.

It's not just part of aging to develop dementia or tremors. Take care of your older family members and friends.

Also, learn more about ionized water benefits.