How to get dad to drink water?

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How to get dad to drink water?

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I find alkalized water at room temperature is the easiest to drink lots of. It also hydrates better, so less is more. Fresh squeezed lemon or lime is a great way to alkalize the water.

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.

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something else I thought of this evening - give him a "cap" on the amount to drink - tell him "you need to get 3 good swallows and then we'll take a break". Count down, and I find this often to be helpful when I tell my mom that. She seems to understand it and doesn't usually balk at it then.

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His body is not giving him the signal that he should drink.

As he goes through the process of going from today towards the last day of his life - are you going to fight him at every turn?

You are allowing a lot of stress into your life.
Do you believe that he will magically become a 35 year old again?

Do you believe that - one day, he will die? It is natural that this is a process.

As we are entering the autumn of the year, do you not see evidence around you of a slowing of this life - making the new life of spring?

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Those are all valid questions and comments. My husband was always a big water drinker so when that slowed down and then stopped I was horrified. It was at the end of a 15+ year illness and I, too transported him to the hospital for hydration and tried all the things that have been mentioned to get fluid down him. It finally hit me that after all this time he was tired of the whole thing. Not only would he not drink, he wouldn’t eat or take his lengthly list of meds. It was at this point I had to accept this was his way of letting me know he was ready to go and to let him. Which was a very difficult decision to make. So from that point (called in hospice) he didn’t have to eat, drink, or take meds or see doctors. I asked if he would drink just a sip or two, eat a couple of bites or sips of liquid protein and whatever he said was what we did. He lived happily for another week and a half. I’m telling OP this for them to be on the lookout for this even if her dad isn’t at this point now.

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does he like watermelon? if so......that has water in it and might help. how about cranberry juice that could be watered down a little bit. I think a lot of older people just don't drink enough cause "they have to go to the bathroom a lot"........I know my mom (93) doesn't drink enough, I have to remind her now and then. I tell her "you don't want to get another kidney/bladder infection like you had before" (she was in a lot of pain at 4 am). maybe a flavored slushy if he likes those things. not sure if applesauce would be good or not. Sure wishing you luck on this.

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Dear "wolflover451,"

You mentioned a good point about a lot of older people don't want to drink too much because they will have to go to the bathroom frequently especially when they have incontinence issues. I have often wondered if that's why my 95 year old mom doesn't want to drink a lot. She was like that old commercial "gotta go, gotta go, gotta go right now." Even when she was in her mid-80's and we were out somewhere, I had to make several emergency bathroom stops. I think it's stressful for her thinking she might not be able to hold it long enough until she gets to the bathroom.

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I give my 98 year old mother-in-law Pedialyte. She likes it and will drink more of it than water. It comes in several flavors. I do have water next to her at all times in one of those termo tumblers; they keep the water nice and cold all day.

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Dear "Christiane,"

What an excellent idea - I would have never thought of that! I'm going to look into it the next time I go to the store and add it to the other drinks I buy her. Thank you so much!

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Drs prescribed a thickener for my Mom, she had trouble swallowing and the thickener made it easier. You could add flavors so it would be more like a smoothie or pudding.

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My husband has the same issue. Recently purchased V8 with electrolytes slightly fruity and not filled with sugar. He likes them. Also you can buy electrolytes capsules to dissolve in a drink. Try Amazon.

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I agree with many of the helpful answers here. There's no reason to fight it. Find alternatives. Watermellon is a great idea. Does he like peaches? How about jello? Find any juicy fruit he likes and give him that, or any other liquidy, food that he likes. Milkshakes? Whatever he likes. Hydration is the issue, not water specifically.

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Hello NobodyGetsIt,
I purchased V8 peach mango today, wondering if I should wait until the strawberry banana is finished before opening this one. What do you think? I am so glad my mother has this option. It thickens to a good consistency. So happy my mom can have this. The Splash drink sounds good too. Thanks so much, fluids are getting easier for my mom to consume. Hugs to you.

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Hi "earlybird,"

Good, the Peach/Mango is our favorite! I buy the 6 or 12 pack cans (they're thin and skinny and easy to drink with a straw). If you bought the big bottle, I'm wondering if you bought the V8 "Fusion" drink. I would finish the strawberry banana unless you go through it pretty fast (it will keep in the fridge for 10-14 days according to some information I read). If that's the case you could go ahead and open the peach/mango as well and switch back and forth. Otherwise, if she only drinks a little at a time, I would finish the one before opening the other. That's why I like the little cans because I can keep a variety in the fridge without worrying about spoilage.

The Nestle "Splash" drink is more like a water with a hint of flavoring. Two totally different types of drinks.

I'm so glad that your mom is finding fluids easier to consume and I hope you both will continue to enjoy these drinks. It's always nice to have a variety!

Hugs to you too!

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Hi NobodyGetsIt,
My mom loves the new peach mango drink, I just thicken it up a bit. She smiles when I give it to her. I also gave her the strawberry banana today. I had a glass of the peach mango, very tasty.

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Dear "earlybird,"

I'm so glad your mom loves the peach/mango drink and that you liked it as well. That's nice too that you can thicken it up so it's the consistency she's able to drink.

I just took my mom another 12-pack of the peach/mango as she just finished the orange/pineapple.

But most of all I'm so glad it puts a smile on her face when you give it to her and I'm sure you love that too!

Hugs to both you and your mom! :)

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Richard is also bad at drinking, a big part of his current issue may be dehydration. He does like things really COLD, he ordered an ice machine by mail and it is now in his living room, only feet away from where he normally sits, He also asked me to get an ice shaver/sno cone machine, and had been requesting slushies made with that. It will use frozen juices as well, so I started freezing the leftovers from each can of diet soda and then grinding them back up to keep the drinks from diluting. He is selective about flavors, hates lemon and strawberry, prefers orange, root beer, or cola. Another poster on a different thread had the idea that, as they take their meds, give each pill with a "shot glass" of water, if the person is taking 8 meds, that is 8 oz right there!

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Can you give him some peanut butter? or some nut butter? He'll want water then. Don't 'make it a battle.' Pushing, insisting likely won't help and may make him grind his feet more firmly in the ground = his position.
Watermelon sounds really good. I use a bullet and love it. Or get a juicer. The entire watermelon, skins and all, go in and get all the nutrition. p.s. I don't like watermelon although I do like the juice. I also love cantaloupe. I think it turns green or something pretty. A juicer [or my preference, a bullet] is great for your dad - and you. I have a very good recipe I 'drink' most days, includes ginger root and garlic. Just a little. and much more. If you want it the recipe, please let me know.

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Isn't peanut butter to be avoided with kidney disease?

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LauraMay,
May I refer you to other numerous posts on this topic?

Hydration Tips for Seniors
https://www.agingcare.com/topics/221/hydration

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It is insane but there are people who simply will NOT drink water. Nothing can force them. This is something the medical profession will have to figure out - you won't succeed.

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NobodyGetsIt,
Can't send you a message. Did you change your profile page?

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Hi "earlybird,"

Yes, I don't have a profile page anymore. I will send you a message today! :)

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I wouldn’t try to get him to drink soda that’s not really good for your kidneys either. Try the flavored bottled waters he might like that especially if you add fruit to it

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