Keep elderly well-hydrated this summer : DOH

The Department of Health (DOH) is reminding the public that elderly members of their household must drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration especially as the summer heat persists. (PNA photo)

MANILA –The Department of Health (DOH) is reminding the public that elderly members of their household must drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration especially as the summer heat persists.

“They are the most vulnerable population to severe dehydration,” DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III told reporters on Monday during his visit at the UST Hospital in Manila.

Duque said that some of the elderly forget to take sufficient water because of their advance age.

“Dapat uhaw na siya kasi kulang na siya ng tubig. Pero wala lang, dedma lang siya na dehydrated na pala siya. Iyun masama yun (They should already feel thirsty because they already lack water, but they just ignore it. That is not good),” Duque explained.

To avoid dehydration, he said that family members should offer water or often remind the elderly that they need to drink water.

“Hydration is the key,” he said.