Are you worried your retirement-age loved one isn’t getting the nutrition they need? Have you asked them about eating, only to hear them say, “I just don’t have much of an appetite anymore.”? There can be any number of reasons for appetite loss in seniors.
As a normal part of getting older, a gradually decreased appetite isn’t anything to worry about in many cases. Those in their golden years frequently participate in less physical activity and have a lower energy level which means, compared to someone younger, they need fewer calories. But if an extreme weight loss occurs, and your loved one refuses to eat, this could be a problem. A higher mortality rate can be linked to an excessive loss of body weight.
Let’s take a look at why some retirees experience appetite loss and what to look for to determine if their eating habits are dangerous.
The Symptoms of Appetite Loss
There could be a problem with your loved one’s loss of appetite if the following occur:
- They experience unintentional weight loss
- They say they never feel hungry
- They say they simply have no desire to eat
Reasons for Appetite Loss
The reasons for a decreased appetite in your loved one can be numerous. Here we will try to cover the basics…
Reasons not specifically related to a medical condition:
- They feel lonely
- Issues with their dentures
- Medication side effects
- Food tastes different because their senses are changing
Medical causes of appetite loss:
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Certain cancers (stomach, lung, pancreatic, and ovarian in particular)
- Kidney failure
- Chronic liver disease/hepatitis
- Alzheimer’s disease/dementia
- Thyroid disorders
How You Can Help Your Loved One Increase Their Appetite?
There are a number of different methods you can use to help stimulate your loved one’s appetite.
- Encourage them to get together with their friends for a weekly dinner, lunch, brunch, etc.
- Schedule a meal together with your loved one once a week or more.
- Help them come up with meals that are colorful, bright, and packed with nutrients. Change things up from the norm.
- Encourage your loved one to eat smaller portions and go from there.
- Schedule mealtimes for the same times every day.
Aston Gardens At Pelican Marsh Encourages Your Loved One’s Appetite with Nutritious, Delicious Meals
Courtesy of our Sensations Dining program, delicious, nutritious, chef-prepared meals are enjoyed three times a day by our Aston Gardens At Pelican Marsh residents. What’s more, meals are served in a fine dining atmosphere by friendly, caring team members.
If, however, your loved one would prefer to check out one of the local restaurants, make sure they ask about our Connections Transportation program. This way, they can enjoy the trip and the meal with friends and not have to worry about driving.
If you’d like to speak with someone from Aston Gardens At Pelican Marsh about sales and leasing, please phone us at 239-215-3356. You can direct other inquiries to a representative at 239-593-1923. To simply open the lines of communication quickly and easily, fill out our convenient online form here. We look forward to speaking with you.
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