As the warmest month of the year rolls on, people are being urged to drink eight glasses of water a day and seek immediate medical attention if an elderly relative shows signs of dehydration.

Between 2010 and 2013, about four people were admitted to Mater Dei Hospital every month of summer (June to September) suffering from dehydration.

Anyone can become dehydrated but some people are at greater risk than others, especially the elderly, whose level of water stored in the body and sense of thirst naturally decline with age.

The elderly are advised to seek medical attention immediately

Dehydration can pose serious health risks leading to complications.

A spokeswoman for the Health Ministry said the symptoms and signs of dehydration depended on the severity but they included a lowering of blood pressure, reduced attention span and dry tongue.

Other signs that are less specific to older people include thirst, passing urine less often than usual, reduced skin elasticity, also known as skin turgor, and dizzy spells, referred to as orthostatic hypotension.

A decrease in skin turgor is when the skin on the back of an adult’s hand or on a child’s abdomen is pulled up for a few seconds and does not return to its original state.

The spokeswoman said treatment depended on the cause and severity of the dehydration, however the elderly were advised to seek medical attention immediately.

Most elderly people should drink at least 1.7 litres every 24 hours. They should not be encouraged to consume large amounts of fluids at once but small amounts throughout the day.

Stay hydrated

• Do not wait until thirst sets in – drink small amounts frequently.
• Wear light clothes and avoid the sun.
• Set a hydration schedule.
• Have small light bottles handy.
• Avoid carbonated or caffeinated drinks.
• Eat fresh fruit and vegetables high in fluids.