Keeping Our Parents Hydrated: Summer Survival Tips You’ll Actually Remember

This image was generated using the latest GPT model.

Summer’s here, and that means sunny park days, backyard BBQs, maybe a drive down to the beach with Mom or Dad riding shotgun. The memories you’ll make? Priceless. But there’s one thing you can’t afford to skip this summer, and that’s water.

Yeah, I know. It sounds basic. But hydration is one of those sneaky problems that can flip a perfect day into a hospital visit fast- especially for older adults. Their thirst mechanism? It just doesn’t work the way it used to. Aging kidneys don’t conserve water as well, either. Toss in chronic conditions like diabetes, or a couple meds that push fluids out of their system, and you’ve got a recipe for serious dehydration.

How serious? Enough to bump up the risk of falls, trigger confusion, or land them in a hospital bed hooked up to an IV. Older adults are about 20% to 30% more likely to get dehydrated than the rest of us, just from how their bodies change with age. So if your parents say they’re “fine” even though they haven’t had a drink in hours, don’t buy it.

Let’s make this ridiculously simple. Here’s how to keep Mom, Dad, or any older friend hydrated this summer without hovering or nagging:

1. Serve fluids with meals

People are way more likely to drink if you slide the glass right alongside their plate. Make it part of the routine.

2. Think light and juicy

Water-rich foods like watermelon, strawberries, and cucumbers can help increase hydration without feeling like you’re drowning them in plain water.

3. Set a gentle schedule

Encourage small sips of water throughout the day. Waiting for mom or dad to tell you they’re thirsty is a losing game. Their thirst receptors just don't kick in soon enough.

4. Limit alcohol and heavy caffeine

These push more water out of their system than they put back in. There’s nothing wrong with an iced coffee, but balance it out with some water too.

5. Watch for dehydration signs

Dry mouth, dark pee, dizziness, or a general “off” vibe could be the first hint. That’s your cue to check in and offer water.

Why even bother? Because it matters. Even mild dehydration can mess with their balance, memory, and energy. And falls from a dizzy spell? As our parents age, they don’t bounce back from falls as quickly as they used to.

We can’t stop time. But we can absolutely keep our parents safe, comfortable, and enjoying these warm summer days by paying attention to something as simple as a glass of water.

On a hot day, would you rather run for an ice pack after a fall or refill a glass of water? 

I’d go for the water every time.

So, when was the last time you had a glass of water?

References

1. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2020). Dietary Reference Intakes for Water. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555956/

2. CDC (2023). Stay Hydrated. https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/data-statistics/plain-water-the-healthier-choice.html

Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board