Drink more water in summer, especially if older
To avoid dehydration, water should be your first liquid choice (but not alcoholic beverages, which are dehydrating). If water isn’t for you, try other beverages and fruits, such as watermelon. Credit: iStock
After a long, cold winter, it's time to lift a glass to toast the summer. In fact, make it several glasses, preferably of water.
As the temperature and humidity starts to soar, be aware that older folks are more prone to dehydration than younger adults. The Mayo Clinic says as we age it's harder for our bodies to conserve water and we're less able to adjust for high temperatures. Additionally, our sense of thirst may become less sharp, so we don't immediately know we are becoming dehydrated.
To avoid dehydration, water should be your first liquid choice (but not alcoholic beverages, which are dehydrating). If water isn't for you, try other beverages and fruits. The aptly named watermelon, for example, is a great source of hydration, because it is more than 90 percent water.
