Download Our Free Stay Hydrated, Stay Well Pack

Homelium
1 day ago
4 min read

Black fridge with Homelium hydration tracker and tips posters, plus red stay hydrated cards; bright indoor setting with plant above.

Something as simple as a glass of water can make a profound difference to an older person's health. Yet dehydration remains one of the most common, and most preventable, causes of hospital admissions in older adults across the UK.

That's why we created it.

Our free Stay Hydrated, Stay Well pack is now available to download, completely free, no strings attached, for families, unpaid carers and healthcare professionals supporting older adults at home.

Why We Created the Hydration Pack

At Homelium, our carers support older adults in their own homes every single day. And time and time again, they see the impact that something as simple as staying properly hydrated, or not, has on how a person feels, functions and lives.

Dehydration in older adults is serious. As we age, our sense of thirst naturally weakens, meaning many older people go hours without drinking enough without ever feeling thirsty. The consequences can be significant:

Dizziness and falls — dehydration affects blood pressure and balance, significantly increasing fall risk
Confusion and disorientation — frequently mistaken for dementia progressing or simply an off day
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) — one of the most common and serious infections in older adults, and one of the most strongly linked to low fluid intake
Fatigue and low mood — even mild dehydration affects energy levels and emotional wellbeing
Hospital admissions — that in many cases could have been prevented with an extra glass of water each day

We wanted to create something genuinely useful that any family or professional could pick up, print out and start using straight away. Something simple, practical and free, because awareness really does make a difference.

What's Inside the Pack

The Stay Hydrated, Stay Well pack includes two printable resources:

1. The 14-Day Hydration Tracker

A simple, easy-to-use daily tracker designed to help older adults and the people who support them, keep on top of fluid intake throughout the day.

The NHS recommends 6 to 8 cups of fluid per day for older adults and the good news is it doesn't have to be just water. Tea, coffee, squash, milk, soup and herbal drinks all count. The tracker makes it easy to see at a glance whether your loved one is hitting that target each day.

Stick it on the fridge, pop it on the kitchen table or keep it wherever it's most visible and tick off each cup as it's drunk. Simple, effective and completely free to print as many times as you need.

2. The UTI Signs, Symptoms and Hydration Guide

A clear, easy-to-read poster covering two of the most important things families and professionals need to know when supporting older adults at home, the warning signs of UTIs and the daily habits that help prevent them.

In older adults, UTIs rarely present the way most people expect. Rather than pain or burning, the signs are frequently:

Sudden confusion or disorientation
Unusual agitation or changes in mood or behaviour
Increased falls or unsteadiness
Unexplained tiredness or loss of appetite
Fever or shivering
Cloudy or strong-smelling urine

These symptoms are easy to put down to age or an off day, but they could be a sign of a UTI that needs prompt medical attention. The guide helps families and professionals spot the signs early, alongside practical daily hydration tips to help prevent UTIs in the first place.

Who Is the Pack For?

The Stay Hydrated, Stay Well pack has been designed for anyone who supports an older adult, whether that's a family member, an unpaid carer or a healthcare professional.

For families and unpaid carers: Print the tracker and stick it somewhere visible at home. Use the UTI guide as a quick reference for symptoms to watch for. Share both with other family members so everyone is aware.

For healthcare and community professionals: GPs, district nurses, social prescribers, occupational therapists, pharmacists and community organisations are warmly encouraged to download and share the pack with the older adults they support. If you would like printed copies for your waiting room, home visits or community setting, please get in touch with our team directly at marketing@homelium.com and we will arrange them for you.

How Homelium Supports Hydration Every Day

The pack is a resource, but it's our carers who make the real difference on the ground.

Across Essex, West Sussex, Dorset, Hampshire and Northamptonshire, Homelium carers make hydration a natural, consistent part of every single visit. They offer drinks, encourage fluids with meals, notice the subtle signs that something might be off and flag concerns quickly to families and healthcare professionals, because catching something early almost always makes the outcome better.

If you'd like to find out more about how Homelium could support your loved one at home, whether that's a few hours a week or full-time live-in care, we'd love to hear from you.