Water promotes better digestion and intestinal function. Water keeps mouth, nose, eyes, and skin moist. Water ensures proper volume of blood. Water keeps the urinary tract flushed out. This is important in reducing the risk of urinary tract infections.
Dehydration is a serious medical condition that often requires hospitalization.
Many older people, however, have a diminished sense of thirst, and may be seriously dehydrated before they experience this warning. Another easy to check, early sign of dehydration is the color of your urine. It should be clear or pale yellow. Darker urine may indicate you are not meeting your fluid needs. Approximately half of those hospitalized for dehydration die within a year.