Preventing dehydration in Older Adults
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If your parent has chronic kidney disease (CKD), and you are helping to organise their health care, then this checklist summarises some of the issues you might want to discuss with them.
CKD is a common problem, especially in older people and those living with diabetes or circulation problems. Treatment can prevent or delay the progression of CKD and its complications so it’s important to recognise the condition early on and keep it under control.
CKD does not usually cause symptoms, so it can easily go undiagnosed. Fortunately tests for CKD are simple and widely available – usually a simple blood or urine test.
CKD can increase the risk of developing circulatory problems like strokes or heart attacks. In fact, these problems can be more common and serious for many people living with CKD than the actual kidney problem. This means that actions to promote heart health eg controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes, are extra specially important for people living with CKD.
The checklist is not a substitute for medical advice – always seek professional help. Remember, healthcare professionals will not share information about a patient unless they have been given permission to do so.
