Decreased appetite is common among elderly individuals. Often it can be difficult to convince elderly loved ones to eat enough food throughout the day to sustain them and provide their bodies with good nutrition. With weaker taste buds and sedentary routines, elder adults may not experience the same hunger response in their bodies to prompt them to eat. Loss of appetite can lead to weight loss and poor nutrition among ageing adults. It is essential for your elderly loved ones to eat nutritious meals, get enough calories, and maintain a healthy and stable weight

At Vascular Care Specialists of Los Angeles, Dr. Mathew Cheung and Dr. Peter Lin discuss common causes of decreased appetite in elderly individuals. In this article, you will learn nine healthy eating habits which can improve the nutrition in elderly people who struggles with their appetite.

Loss of appetite refers to the absence of hunger or a general disinterest in eating. When left untreated, a decreased appetite can lead to weight loss and fatigue.

Typically, loss of appetite has physical and/or psychological causes such as:

• Viral or bacterial infections (e.g. stomach flu, cold, food poisoning, etc.)
• Hormonal changes in the body
• New medication
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Depression

Loss of appetite may also be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. Changes in eating habits are common among patients with thyroid disorders, hepatitis, dementia, or cancer. In general, if an elderly loved one suddenly has a reduced appetite, we highly recommend consulting a doctor for a professional diagnosis.

Senior adults tend to eat less due to the natural decrease of taste buds and a reduced sense of smell. These changes make meals significantly less enjoyable, gradually leading to a disinterest in food.

Adults over the age of 60 also tend to have more sedentary lifestyles. This decline in physical activity means that their bodies do not use up as much energy, which in turn affects the amount of food they need daily.

In some cases, poor eating habits are the result of other medical conditions that older individuals are more prone to. For instance, elderly individuals may eat less due to poorly-fitted denture or pain while chewing or swallowing.

We’ve provided eight ways in which you can encourage regular, healthy eating habits in elderly people struggling with their appetite.

1. Setting a Regular Eating Schedule and Meal Plan

It is highly recommended for individuals with poor appetites to eat 5-6 small meals throughout the day. A regular eating schedule can help senior adults hit their meal targets and promote better digestion. Additionally, establishing a meal plan with a variety of dishes helps elderly loved ones look forward to eating – potentially stimulating their appetite.

2. Create a Routine

Creating a routine for meals, snacks and drinks can help to develop familiarity and certainty for those who need sustenance but might be confused or suspicious about whether they should be eating when they don’t feel hungry. Having certain times of the day at which food and drink is consumed helps to create an expectation that eating and drinking is the established activity for that time of the day.

Routine doesn’t only have to revolve around time; it can also focus on what type of food you eat. For example, if you consistently start the day with a bowl of porridge, then your loved one may soon accept their porridge as part of their normal day.

3. Encourage Physical Activity

Exercise is linked to a temporary increase in the body’s metabolic rate. Since both metabolism and appetite increase after a workout, physical activity may help elderly loved ones eat more.

While exercise is generally recommended for its health benefits, not all types of exercise are beneficial to older persons. Existing medical conditions may limit the types of exercises an ageing individual can safely engage in, so it is important to consult a physician beforehand. Here are a few simple recommended exercises for elderly to stay active.

4. Eat with Others

Turning meal times into a social event can set an example to your loved one about the importance of eating, as well as creating an enjoyable event for them to look forward to. Meals can often be a battle for people lacking appetite, so the prospect of spending time with others is something that can make meal times a more enticing prospect. Find out what meals and foods your loved one particularly enjoys, and how they like it to be prepared, as this will always increase the likelihood of them finding their appetite.

5. Reduce Dry Mouth

Dry mouth has been known to hinder an elderly person’s ability and desire to eat and drink. If this appears to be the case for your loved one, the first step to take is to consult your doctor or dentist, as often medication is the primary cause of dry mouth. Ask your doctor or dentist to recommend you products that moisturize your mouth, including prescription or over-the-counter mouthwashes. Your doctor may determine that medication isn’t the cause of dry mouth, in which case it’s likely to be caused by dehydration, an existing medical condition or treatment such as chemotherapy. Steps that can be taken to improve dry mouth include increasing water consumption, limiting caffeine intake, stopping tobacco use and brushing your teeth at least twice a day.

6. Use Drinkable Meals

When swallowing or using cutlery becomes difficult, drinkable meals are a straightforward way to continue to provide your loved one with all the sustenance and nutrition that they need without changing their diet. Drinkable meals generally take the form of smoothies and shakes, and you can really get creative with food combinations. Whatever ingredients you choose, ensure food is blended properly and contains no large lumps to avoid potential choking hazards. Drinkable meals should be used as a last case resort. Seeking a referral from your doctor to speech and language therapy for a swallowing assessment would be beneficial.

7. Use Finger Foods

Finger foods can be a great alternative to a full meal for your elderly loved one if you can find options with enough nutritional value to be a viable source of sustenance. Vegetable samosas, cocktail sausages, cheese cubes, crackers, peanut butter on toast and vegetable sticks can all be helpful in encouraging a greater calorie intake through small, digestible portions. Finger food also removes the need for cutlery and cooking.

8. Encourage Snacking

You might be accustomed to hiding snacks from hungry teenagers at home, but it’s a great idea to encourage your elderly loved ones to graze throughout the day. Snacks can be a fantastic way to ensure your loved one is eating enough calories and consuming enough nutrients every day. Nuts, raisins, carrot sticks, orange slices, dark chocolate and yoghurt can all make for tasty snacks that provide vital nutrition and sustenance.

At Vascular Care Specialists of Los Angeles, we strive to provide the best service, care, and results possible. If you have circulation problem related to your arteries or veins and would like to seek consultation with a vascular surgeon, give us a call at 626-275-9566 to schedule an appointment. You can also visit us at www.vcsla.com for more information.