After the indulgence of the holiday season, many people elect to cut back on calorie consumption. But when a senior isn’t eating altogether, or perhaps is making unhealthy or unbalanced dietary choices, it is important to ascertain the cause associated with this behavior. This can help with understanding how to best encourage them to get on track with more nutritious eating.
What Can Cause Changes in an Older Adult’s Eating Behaviors?
There are many key reasons to explain why a senior isn’t eating or begins making unhealthy dietary choices – and strategies you can employ to help overcome them:
- Loneliness. This is a standard problem among the elderly, and can make mealtime less enjoyable. Share meals whenever you can with a lonely senior family member, invite friends and neighbors to join them, or contact Independence-4-Seniors Home Care for a caregiving companion to assist.
- Difficulties with oral health. Speak with the dentist to determine if dentures need to be refitted or if there are any other dental concerns that need to be addressed. You may want to provide foods that are softer and/or cut them into smaller pieces. Lentils, ground meat, and beans, for instance, are easier to chew than a pork chop or steak.
- Side effects from medications. Schedule an appointment with the doctor for a complete review of all meds being taken, and find out if one or more could be causing a loss of appetite or troubling gastrointestinal effects. See if the medication can be changed to something more tolerable or if perhaps the dosage can be adjusted.
- Low vision. If the senior is not able to see clearly, they may perceive foods differently and lose interest in eating. Vision problems can also make it difficult and even dangerous to prepare meals as well as get out for groceries. Offer to help with shopping and meal prep (or let us help!) and serve foods that are brightly colored and contrasted to the colors of serving dishes, place mats, the tablecloth, etc. so they’re more easily seen.
- Loss of taste or smell. Aging as a whole often results in a dulling of these senses, which could affect the pleasure of eating. Try experimenting with more flavorful and aromatic herbs and spices while preparing meals, such as garlic, thyme, and ginger.
Independence-4-Seniors Home Care is here for individuals struggling to maintain a balanced and healthy diet, for whatever reason. We can partner with you to make sure all the bases are covered in providing seniors with every opportunity to once again enjoy meals and establish improved eating habits. Reach out to us at (630) 323-4665 to learn how our professional home care in Darien and the surrounding areas can help.