Susan Hampshire OBE, is a great believer in the benefits of drinking water. It's refreshing, cheap, on tap and one of the best beauty and health aids I know. As you get older, you need to keep drinking lots of water. Water is absolutely right for the young at heart.   Northumbrian Water's 'Leaplish' Lodge Holidays on Kielder Water	DRINKING SUFFICIENT WATER CAN HELP PREVENT THE DEBILITATING FALLS OLDER PEOPLE DREAD Every day in the UK 8,000 older people will have a fall - with falls accounting for 10% of all acute hospital admissions. A broken hip  can lead to a reduced quality of life - over and above the trauma and hurt of the accident itself. Indeed, people suffering a broken hip rarely get back to the same degree of independent living they enjoyed before they fell. It's not surprising, therefore, that for many older people, the absolute fear of falling severely limits what they do in their daily lives. Dehydration - the lack of water intake - has been identified as a critical risk factor for falls in older people. This is because it can lead to a deterioration in mental state and an increase in the likelihood of dizziness and fainting. As part of an effective falls prevention strategy, the maintenace of adequate levels of hydration in older people can have a highly significant contributory effect. Northumbrian Water is a leading force in promoting the health benefits of drinking water for the community as a whole - and older people in particular. Care Directions is delighted to be associated with the good-hydration initiatives of Northumbrian Water, in presenting this important article. Avoid dehydration and benefit from drinking more water Not getting enough water can quickly result in tiredness, headaches and constipation - developing into more worrying conditions, such as increased heart rate and breathing rate, dizziness, confusion and eventual coma. A recent BMA study has also found that people who stint on drinking water do markedly less well in tests for concentration, short term memory and the mobility co-ordination needed to avoid falls. On the other hand, it has been established that people drinking adequate levels of water will benefit in a number of ways: helps avoid chronic constipation maintains a healthy urinary tract and kidneys reduces risk of kidney stones may reduce risk of coronary heart disease and blood clots stabilises blood pressure and prevents fainting lowers risk of diabetes improves mental performance  helps with falls avoidance keeps skin healthy and young looking generally, makes you feel livelier all over! Water requirements Northumbrian Water recommends that daily intake of fluids for older people should not be anything less than 1.6 litres. Unfortunately, many older people do not achieve anything like this. Indeed, it has been shown that, thirst, the body's natural response to dehydration is impaired in older people - with stroke victims or those suffering from Alzheimer's disease being particularly insensitive to thirst. Many older people 'restrict' their water drinking, wanting to avoid difficult, inconvenient toilet visits. Older people may also be losing out on their 20% of water intake normally contained in food - when appetite may be diminished and diet poor. How to achieve your daily water intake Whether living independently, or being looked after by caregivers there are some simple ways to keep water intake always to mind and always available: Keep a jug of water in the fridge, with a supply of lemon slices Liven up a glass of water with a slice of fruit, squirt of lemon or lime juice Start the day with a glass of water when you wake If you are out and about during the day, always carry a small bottle of tap water Start/accompany your meals with a glass of water and reduce your intake of dehydrating alcohol Drink more water on hotter days, when normal fluid intake will be lost through perspiration In summary As we get older, our body's needs and health concerns change, due to an increased susceptibility to degenerative conditions.  Revitalising, refreshing and calorie-free, water can make such an easy and valuable contribution to better health in older age. Water - the original refreshment. Northumbrian Water's 'Leaplish' Lodge Holidays on Kielder Water We're on our last day of a fantastic 3 night's weekend break at  Kielder Water and we've finally cracked it! We've just seen Britain's rare red squirrels, not a hundred yards from our lodge door. Phew! We were getting desperate - after stopping off at a host of Kielder Forest locations to get a sight of this beautiful, but elusive creature. Like so many other aspects of 'Leaplish', much is done to connect visitors to the nature of this magnificent Forest region. In the surrounding coniferous woods of our lodge a viewing hide has been created, where visitors can record 'red' sightings. Strolling near the hide on our last late afternoon we saw a group of 'reds' scampering about the forest floor, before climbing up to the lofty pines. It capped a wonderful weekend experience on the shores of Kielder Water in Northumberland - the largest man-made lake in the UK, surrounded by the largest man-made woodlands in Europe. Constructed between 1975 and 1981 to satisfy demand for water in an expanding industrial economy, Kielder Water is now both a vital utility and a mecca for all manner of leisure enthusiasts. Angling, walking, cycling, fishing, sailing, canoeing and lake cruising can all be enjoyed. Lodging our appreciation Northumbrian Water is to be congratulated for the excellence of its lodges' development at 'Leaplish'. An attractive multi-activity centre, the accommodation is limited to just 32 beautifully appointed wood lodges. Ours was an Otterstone Executive, providing one double bedroom with en-suite shower and one twin bedroom, with adjoining family bathroom. Bedrooms and spacious lounge and dining areas are tastefully designed and furnished to high standards. We enjoyed a fine selection of lunches and evening meals in the site's Boat Inn Restaurant - all well prepared, pleasantly served and sensibly priced. If, however, own-prepared cooking is your preference, the lodge kitchens are superbly appointed, to make cooking a pleasure. There is a 'basics' shop at 'Leaplish', providing food essentials, newspapers and souvenirs - with Kielder's own mini-market just a few minute's drive away. Enjoying Kielder and Northumberland If it's peace, tranquility and accommodation cosiness in spectacular scenery you're after, Kielder Water and 'Leaplish' will not disappoint. In addition to the wonderful array of leisure pursuits of the Kielder Forest region, all the other great attractions of Northumberland are within easy driving distance. We chose to tour Hadrian's Wall - fulfilling a long term desire to stand on the wall itself and explore the other Roman sites, such as Vindolanda. Built by the Romans before Hadrian's Wall, the Vindolanda archaeological complex is famous as the discovery site of the Vindolanda Tablets - voted in 2003 as the Top Treasure of The British Museum. Whatever your age and leisure preference, Kielder Water offers so much - and 'Leaplish' lodges make the perfect base. For full details and bookings click here.