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I know this has been addressed before, but how do you encourage your person to drink water?

A myALZteam Member asked a question 💭
Spokane Valley, WA

He has a foley and needs to drink water. He thinks coffee is just brown water. I don’t want to brown beat him as it just makes him upset. I’ve tried water flavors, gator aid, fruit in the water. It’s an up hill battle. He starts to get bladder infections due to not drinking.

October 21
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myALZteam

How can you encourage someone with Alzheimer's who has a foley catheter to drink enough fluids to prevent bladder infections?

It sounds like you're doing a wonderful job trying different things — and yes, coffee is basically brown water, so points for creativity there! 😄 Keeping fluids up is so important, especially with a Show Full Answer

How can you encourage someone with Alzheimer's who has a foley catheter to drink enough fluids to prevent bladder infections?

It sounds like you're doing a wonderful job trying different things — and yes, coffee is basically brown water, so points for creativity there! 😄 Keeping fluids up is so important, especially with a foley catheter in place. Here are some strategies that may help beyond what you've already tried:

- Make drinks visible and easy to reach — Place cups or bottles where he can see them as a natural reminder
- Offer drinks he genuinely enjoys — Warm broths, herbal teas, or even warm water with honey can count toward fluid intake
- Try foods with high water content — Watermelon, cucumber, soups, and gelatin all contribute to hydration
- Offer small amounts frequently — Rather than a full glass, try a few sips every 30 minutes
- Limit fluids closer to bedtime — This keeps daytime intake the focus without disrupting sleep
- Avoid alcohol and limit caffeine — These can actually reduce hydration

A myALZteam member shared that making favorite drinks readily available and easy to find made a big difference for their loved one. It's also worth speaking with his doctor about a target fluid intake goal specific to his foley catheter needs. They may have additional tailored suggestions to help prevent those bladder infections. You're not alone in this struggle — it's a common challenge.

October 21

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