The majority of older persons need to drink about 6–8 cups of fluid every day. The amount
needed depends on:
• your body weight;
• activity level;
• your overall health; and
• air temperature.
These factors increase fluid needs:
• eating high-fiber foods or taking a fiber supplement;
• taking certain medications, especially diuret- ics (“water pills”);
• hot weather; and/or
• vigorous physical activity.