Easy Tips for Getting an Older Person to Drink More Water
Knowing you need to drink more is one thing; putting it into practice is another. The goal is to build hydration seamlessly into your daily life. Here are some simple, practical tips for getting an older person to drink more water—or for encouraging yourself!
1. Make It Convenient
Keep a water bottle, pitcher, or glass of water within easy reach at all times—on your nightstand, next to your favorite chair, and on the kitchen counter. If it’s right there, you’re far more likely to sip on it throughout the day.
2. Set a Schedule
Don’t wait for thirst to strike. Make drinking a glass of water part of your routine. For example, drink one glass when you wake up, one with each meal, one before your daily walk, and one before bed. Linking hydration to existing habits makes it automatic.
3. Use a Marked Water Bottle
A water bottle with time markings can be a fun and motivating visual reminder. It breaks down your daily goal into smaller, manageable sips, helping you stay on track from morning to evening.
4. Eat Your Water
Remember our list of hydrating foods? Make a conscious effort to include them in your daily meals and snacks. A side of watermelon with lunch or a cucumber salad with dinner can significantly contribute to your fluid intake.
5. Make It a Treat
Turn hydration into a pleasant ritual. Enjoy a warm cup of herbal tea in the afternoon. Make a pitcher of spa-like infused water with cucumber and mint. Find a beverage you genuinely enjoy, and you’ll look forward to drinking it.
6. Pair Fluids with Medication
If you take daily medications, use that as an opportunity to hydrate. Instead of just a small sip, drink a full 8-ounce glass of water with your pills. It’s an easy way to get a head start on your daily goal.
7. Use Technology
There are simple apps for your phone or tablet that can send you gentle reminders to drink water throughout the day. You can also set simple alarms on a clock or your phone to go off every hour or so as a cue to take a few sips.
