We often associate dehydration with the sharp sun and 40°C days of an Australian summer. However, the clinical risk of dehydration in aged care and healthcare settings remains high, and arguably more dangerous, during the winter months. How your catering and foodservice’s function addresses this is critical to supporting health and avoiding problems such as medical conditions, cognitive decline, and the risk of falls. This blog article dives into the biological and environmental factors during the cooler and winter months, along with a range of individual circumstances that must be managed in catering and foodservices.
The danger lies in the thirst gap. As we age, our body’s natural thirst response becomes less reliable. When you add the cooling temperatures of winter, which naturally suppress thirst signals, many people simply stop feeling the need to drink. At Cater Care, we systematically support our aged care and healthcare sites for this seasonal shift, helping our clients ensure all residents and patients remain safely hydrated through the backing of our in-house nutritionists.
As people get older, the body’s water reserves naturally decrease. This is further complicated by a weakening thirst cue.
“As people get older, the body’s natural thirst response becomes less reliable, and factors like reduced cognitive function or certain medical conditions or medications can also affect hydration. This means older adults often need to be encouraged to drink regularly, even when they don’t feel thirsty. This is especially important in cooler weather when that thirst cue is even weaker.” —David Vuong, Cater Care Dietitian
We lose significant fluid through respiratory water loss as dry and cold air is warmed up by the body. Think of the times when you see your breath misting in cold air. That mist is actually water vapour leaving your body with every exhale.
Clinical factors further complicate the dehydration. Conditions like dysphagia make thin fluids difficult to swallow, requiring precisely thickened alternatives, while common medications, such as diuretics or beta-blockers, can interfere with fluid regulation. Furthermore, cognitive challenges may prevent a resident or patient from remembering to drink or communicating their thirst. On a personal level, some people may even intentionally limit fluids to avoid the discomfort of frequent bathroom trips.
Most Australian care facilities rely on reverse-cycle heating during winter. These systems strip humidity from the air, creating an artificial desert that dries out skin and mucous membranes, both of which are some of our first lines of defense against winter viruses. Additionally, cold-induced diuresis occurs when cold exposure signals the body to excrete more fluid via the kidneys to manage blood pressure, meaning the body actually loses more water than it does in temperate weather.
Our winter habits often work against us. In the height of summer, we naturally carry water bottles and seek shade, but these habits tend to slip when the temperature drops. Furthermore, the heavy layers of clothing we wear to stay warm can create a micro-climate against the skin. We may be perspiring under those woollens or coats, but because the cold air prevents us from feeling hot, we don’t realise how much fluid we’re actually losing through sweat.
Dehydration in older adults is a clinical risk that can lead to issues like:
While dehydration is always a risk for care residents, it’s a risk that well-planned food services can effectively help mitigate. Our tips for helping people to get the generally recommended two litres of water per day are:
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A well-hydrated resident/patient is a more resilient resident. Proper fluid intake supports the overall immune system. It also maintains synovial fluid in the joints, reducing ‘winter aches’ and improving mobility, which directly decreases the risk of falls. Crucially for resident comfort, good hydration supports skin integrity; by maintaining elasticity and preventing dryness, it promotes faster wound healing and reduces the risk of skin infections. Finally, hydration is key to thermal regulation; a hydrated body actually holds heat better, keeping people warmer from the inside out.
Hydration and dehydration must be proactively managed and monitored. At Cater Care, our dedicated dietitians integrate these vital nutrition and hydration strategies into our training and seasonal menus. Our onsite teams work alongside your clinical staff to ensure residents receive the highest standard of support in every season.
For more foundational tips on building a hydration action plan, visit our original hydration guide.
