I take care of my dad who has dementia that causes anger. He has stage 3 kidney disease and should be drinking at least 6 glasses of water per day. He refuses water, and basically any fluids. This is a constant battle. I have had to call the paramedics out at least 3 times this month because he gets dehydrated. Flavored water does not help. He will not drink tea or soda. Please help.
Watermelon, Jello with seedless berries, fruit ices and sherbets, vegetable soups made without added salt and Mrs. Dash as a seasoning, mango, cucumbers, stewed zucchini, fruit flavored teas. There are some new non-alcoholic beers that might work.
There are a lot more of these.
If he’s the slightest bit cantankerous he may be refusing just to annoy you. Don’t get mad, - GET SNEAKY.
i understand the doctors are recommending his kidneys stay flushed, but because your Dad’s kidneys are not processing properly, he is instinctively rejecting the water and can’t help that it repulses him. If he seems difficult, remember that he feels absolutely terrible.
When I was in your situation, I felt very impatient, frustrated and hopeless.
Praise your dad every time he takes small sips. He may respond best to this positive interaction. Be very patient and calm.
Thr kidney problems (along with the dehydration, electrolytes, etc.) are compounding his confusion.
Great comment and you certainly are living up to your "screenname"!
You brought up a very good point about someone who has kidney disease shouldn't have certain foods like the ones you mentioned. Since I don't know much about kidney disease, I myself wouldn't have thought of that but, now I remember when my mom was hospitalized in April for severe dehydration and COVID, when they ran bloodwork they said her kidney function was at a stage 3. Thanks for the reminder and more ideas!
My 90 yr old friend has to be reminded to have some water, even when we are out and about in 115° weather. She worries about having to use the bathroom to frequently and doesn't feel thirsty, double whammy for staying hydrated. I just remind her frequently and that helps.
Then, what ever fluids he does like give to him.. my Dad likes Milk so offer him a breakfast bar, ect with a little glass of milk every couple hours.
Also, serve more food with liquid like Soup.
Give him a liquid breakfast shake everyday.
I would use the same tactic with my mom telling her she would end up in the hospital again if she became severely dehydrated. For her she would forget but now that she's at a new facility in their memory care unit, they always have fluids next to her. Prior to COVID when she lived in an ALF, I would bring drinks but, couldn't make sure she had them in front of her even if I told her over the phone - she either would forget or just wouldn't do it.