>>As an aside to the not drinking enough water scenario, most of them are frightened away from hydration as a result of being on heart medication...with a diagnosis of congestive heart disease, they're unilaterally on a DIURETIC (Lasix) which further dehydrates them.<<
Heart issues (hence swelling/water retention) start to appear, so they're put on a Beta Blockers to slow down their heart so it doesn't 'wear out', making the fluid issues worse because the heart is weakened further. Then Diuretics to remove the fluid (hence dehydrating the body further, causing a weaker heart beat, causing more fluid retention)...thus, a fear of drinking water and worsening the problem.
It's sickening.
What they needed from the 'get go' was MORE water to hydrate the body and keep the blood thin enough so the heart could do it's job. EVERY aspect of health depends proper hydration and adequate 'flow'.