Module 4 Lesson 1. Eating and drinking - more pleasant mealtimes 3. Preventing dehydration People living with dementia have a higher risk of being dehydrated. There can be several reasons for this: inability to explain their needs; decreased thirst sensation; not offered enough to drink; and, swallowing problems in the late stage of dementia. The person you care for needs to be encouraged to drink 8-10 glasses (1500-2000 millilitres) of fluid (water, iced lollies, soup and juice, not including tea or coffee every day). Severe dehydration Ben has Alzheimer’s disease, but he is able to eat and drink without assistance from his wife, Mary. Ben likes to walk a lot. One hot afternoon, Mary also notices that Ben seems very tired, walks very slowly and then collapses on the floor. Ben is sent to the local hospital’s Emergency Department and is diagnosed with dehydration. After treatment in the hospital, Ben has recovered and is able to go home again. 3. Check your understandingSevere dehydration. How would you advise Mary to deal with the situation after Ben is discharged home? Please select all the responses that you feel are appropriate. Mary records the time and the amount of fluid Ben actually consumes.Mary needs to ensure that Ben drinks 8-10 glasses of water during the day.Mary needs to let Ben make the decision about when to drink.Check Mary records the time and the amount of fluid Ben actually consumes. This is a good response. It can be helpful to establish a routine and record the number of glasses Ben drinks from breakfast time to dinner time. Drinking after dinner time may potentially increase night time visits to the bathroom. Mary needs to ensure that Ben drinks 8-10 glasses of water during the day. This is a good response. Mary notices that Ben may forget to drink, so she is trying to help her husband drink enough water every day. Mary needs to let Ben make the decision about when to drink. This answer is not so good even though she is respecting Ben’s autonomy. Since people with dementia have decreased thirst sensation, it could be dangerous to leave it up to them whether to drink or not without reminding them. If not reminded, Ben may get dehydrated again and collapse. Error: Please select at least one option.Please click ‘check’ to view the answers before continuing.Error: Please type your answers in the text box.