Does Your Dad Drink Enough Water?
Home Care in Noblesville, IN: Senior Hydration
Your dad loves his gardens, but he has a habit of going outside all day and not remembering to stop and drink water. You worry about it as he’s dealt with heat exhaustion in the past. What can you do to ensure he’s staying hydrated?
How Much Should He Drink?
The foods your dad eats will make up about 20% of his daily recommended water intake. But, how do you know how much he should drink to get the other 80%? Many nutritionists use a simple formula that takes a person’s weight and divides it by 2.2. That number is then multiplied by 30. Finally, they divide the result of the last step by 28.3. That number is the amount of water, in ounces, your dad should consume.
For example:
Your dad weighs 200 pounds. After doing the math, he should get around 96 ounces of water. Once he takes out the 20% he eats in foods, he needs to aim for around 77 ounces per day, which is about two liters.
200 ÷ 2.2 ≈ 90
90 x 30 = 2,700
2,700 ÷ 28.3 ≈ 96
96 – 20% ≈ 77
Keep Melon Cubes in the Refrigerator
Peel and cube watermelon and cantaloupe to keep in the refrigerator. Melons have high water content and can help your dad get a boost of water in a healthy snack.
Berries, oranges, and grapes also have plenty of water. Wash them and keep them on hand.
Have Filtered Water and Favorite Beverages On Hand
Your dad may drink more if there is filtered water on hand. If he’s more likely to drink iced tea, make a pitcher of unsweetened iced tea and have some lemon slices in a bag or container for him to use.
Make Ice Pops
If your dad loves frozen treats like ice cream, puree bananas, cinnamon, and almond milk. Pour that mixture into an ice pop tray. He can have those for a snack.
You could also make them with fruits. Mix orange or pineapple juice with berries and kiwi for a refreshing fruit pop.
If he has diabetes and has to be careful about sugar intake, you could make lemonade or limeade sweetened with stevia and make ice pops. Use lemon and lime together for a refreshing summer treat. Be creative when pairing flavors.
Does He Need Someone to Remind Him?
What keeps your dad from drinking plenty of water each day? Would he drink more if someone was available to remind him it was time to take a break and have some water? Hire home care assistance services for this reason.
Caregivers can monitor his activities outside in the heat and make sure he’s taking necessary breaks. If he’s been outside too long, a home care assistance aide can coax him to come in, have a drink and snack, and make sure he’s staying hydrated and not overheating.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care in Noblesville, IN, please call the caring staff at Home Services Unlimited. Serving Greater Indianapolis Area. Call for Immediate Info & Assistance: (317) 471-0760
As a practicing Registered Nurse, Etelka was keenly aware of a void in quality patient care that could be provided in the home. She embarked upon a journey to develop a home health care agency that would exceed all expectations and become a trusted partner to physicians and patients.
A Distinguished Career From Nurse to Director of Nursing to President of Home Services Unlimited
Etelka’s distinguished career followed a logical progression to her position as President of Home Services Unlimited. She graduated as a nurse practitioner with a Bachelor of Nursing (RN) in 1972 from Meshgorya University in the Ukraine, close to where she lived with her family. She married her husband Phil in 1973 and decided in 1977 that they would relocate to the United States to be closer to family and to come to this land of opportunity. With an eagerness to continue her budding career, Etelka sat for and passed her Boards in the U.S. in 1979.
A Love and Talent for Working with the Elderly
Etelka began her nursing career in the U.S. at Colonial Crest, now part of Golden Living, where she was the In-service Coordinator, the Director of Training and Education and Director of Nursing, a position she occupied for several years.
With a group of partners, she co-founded Adept Corporation, which operated group homes for the mentally challenged. The business was successful and in 1996, Etelka sold her share to return to her roots, caring for the elderly.
In January of 1997, Etelka opened Home Services Unlimited as a fully licensed business to provide home health care. In her quest to learn to do better for her patients, she had already obtained a Masters in Healthcare Administration (MHA) in May of 1990 from the College of St. Francis. As President of Home Services Unlimited, Inc., Etelka guides the trusted, experienced care model Home Services Unlimited uses to continue providing excellent home health care.
Giving Back to the Community of Indianapolis
Volunteering for community services is a high priority for Etelka. Her memberships include the Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, Executive Women in Health Care and the Indiana Association for Home and Hospice Care, where she is a member of the Board of Directors.
Etelka has also served on the Board of Directors with Hooverwood Home, a highly regarded geriatric facility, since 1997 and as the President for 2005-2006. Through her community work, she has received several awards and accolades, including the Nora McFarland award in 2002, from the Indiana Association of Home and Hospice Care.
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