Dehydration is a health concern for many seniors. It can lead to serious health complications ranging in severity from mild cramps to blood pressure variations and even to kidney failure. They often fail to recognize the signs of dehydration and the connection between drinking water and their health. The Supplemental Nutrition Education Assistant from Campbell County Cooperative Extension had offered the Healthy Choices for Every Body series to residents at Two Rivers senior apartments annually for five years. While the program was geared toward new participants, people who had previously attended the program sometimes came back for a “refresher course”.

One particular individual who came all five years proudly boasted that he never ever drank water. Then he attended the lesson on Better Beverage Choices and was given a handout on water and a refillable water bottle as a reinforcement. The very next month he arrived to class early and was beaming as he reported that he had run out of soda pop and saw the water bottle sitting on the counter. He filled it and added a packet of sugar-free drink mix and drank it. Much to his surprise he loved it and continued to drink either water or the sugar-free beverage each day. He found that he much preferred the taste, saved money on the vast amount of regular sodas he usually consumed and even lost a few pounds.

The other participants in the class were so encouraged by his story that they also started drinking more water and less soda and other sugar laden drinks. As a result, new residents to the community have been encouraged by the “regulars” to sign up for the nutrition and have been able to attract a new participants on regular basis.  

This is a great example that with the correct information taught in an encouraging way, you really CAN teach an old dog new “sips”.