- #1
kyphysics
- 684
- 445
If an elderly person refuses to drink much fluid (although, still eating regular proportions of food - relative to age), is that a sign of something wrong/dying?
I cannot understand why my father has stopped drinking fluids. He's never drank much fluids to begin with (throughout his life), but given he's on multiple meds now, he SHOULD/NEEDs TO drink a lot of water to have enough fluids to break down those pills. Despite his doctor telling him he needs to drink more water (ongoing for years), he still doesn't get enough.
He does eat a lot of fruit, which has water. But, he drinks almost nothing without being begged to/yelled at by my mother, sister, and I. If one of us is not around, he will not drink anything when he eats. There is an exception. He will drink soda or something sweet. He can drink a full glass or more of sweet stuff, but that is almost always bad for him. Water...tea...juice...he won't drink (it's practically by forced the family members have to yell at him to do and even then he'll refuse at times).
It did not seem to be as bad years ago, but seems to have gotten very bad with age. My siblings have suggested my dad wants to die and is purposely refusing water/fluids. He has declined and has multiple heath issues now. I know his life is not the same. He is very apathetic. However, I don't buy their reasoning entirely (though I think it's possible). The primary reason is that my dad eats the same. If he wanted to die, I think he'd stop eating too. Also, he will eat or drink a lot if it's sweet stuff, so there's that too.
I cannot understand why my father has stopped drinking fluids. He's never drank much fluids to begin with (throughout his life), but given he's on multiple meds now, he SHOULD/NEEDs TO drink a lot of water to have enough fluids to break down those pills. Despite his doctor telling him he needs to drink more water (ongoing for years), he still doesn't get enough.
He does eat a lot of fruit, which has water. But, he drinks almost nothing without being begged to/yelled at by my mother, sister, and I. If one of us is not around, he will not drink anything when he eats. There is an exception. He will drink soda or something sweet. He can drink a full glass or more of sweet stuff, but that is almost always bad for him. Water...tea...juice...he won't drink (it's practically by forced the family members have to yell at him to do and even then he'll refuse at times).
It did not seem to be as bad years ago, but seems to have gotten very bad with age. My siblings have suggested my dad wants to die and is purposely refusing water/fluids. He has declined and has multiple heath issues now. I know his life is not the same. He is very apathetic. However, I don't buy their reasoning entirely (though I think it's possible). The primary reason is that my dad eats the same. If he wanted to die, I think he'd stop eating too. Also, he will eat or drink a lot if it's sweet stuff, so there's that too.
