If you have noticed that your senior parent seems to be losing weight or not eating as much as they should, it could be due to changes in their appetite. It’s common for seniors to not eat as much as they should. Understanding why your mom or dad is not interested in eating can help you find ways to encourage them to eat more.
A great way to make sure that your mom or dad is getting enough to eat is to get senior home care services for them. A senior home care provider can make meals for your senior parent and eat with them. If your mom or dad is not eating because they are lonely or hate eating alone, having a care provider to share meals with can solve that problem.
Senior home care providers can also do the grocery shopping and get lots of delicious healthy foods and snacks that will tempt your mom or dad to eat more.
If your senior parent has been eating less, these common age-related changes in appetite may be the cause:
Decreased Metabolism
As metabolism slows down with age, the body’s energy needs decrease. This can lead to a reduced appetite, as the body requires fewer calories to maintain its weight and functions. But if your mom or dad is losing weight without trying, they are not getting enough calories each day to maintain their body weight and muscle.
Changes in Taste and Smell
Changes in taste and smell are very common as seniors get older. They can also be side effects of the medication that your senior parent takes. The senses of taste and smell often diminish with age, regardless of health, which can make food less appealing.
If your mom or dad is experiencing changes in their senses of taste and smell, a senior home care provider can try cooking new foods to see if those foods are more appetizing to your mom or dad than foods they used to like but now can’t eat.
Dental Issues
Dental issues are common as seniors get older and they can impact how your senior parent eats. Common dental issues that affect seniors are tooth loss, gum disease, or ill-fitting dentures. These issues can make chewing difficult or painful, causing a person to avoid certain foods and eat less overall.
Talk to your mom or dad to see if they are experiencing pain or irritation due to dental issues. They may need to see a dentist and get a cleaning done or get their dentures refitted.
Senior home care providers can also help them with dental hygiene as it becomes more difficult for them.
Medication Side Effects
The medication that your mom or dad is taking could be responsible for their lack of appetite. Many drugs can cause nausea, dry mouth, or changes in taste, all of which can reduce the desire to eat.
If your senior parent is having nausea or aversion to food, talk to their doctor to see if it could be related to the medications they take.
Emotional and Mental Health Changes
Depression, anxiety, or loneliness are common among older adults and can significantly impact appetite. These emotional factors can lead to either a reduced interest in food or eating healthy meals. Regular visits from a senior home care provider and having someone to share meals with can make eating something that your mom or dad enjoys again.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Home Care in Avondale, AZ, please contact the caring staff at Blessings! for Seniors Companion Care today. Call (623) 594-0819
Blessings! for Seniors Companion Care is a top provider of home care services in Goodyear, Avondale, Buckeye, Glendale, Peoria, Litchfield Park, Sun City, Sun City West, Tolleson, Phoenix, Youngtown, Surprise, and surrounding areas.
Blessings for Seniors makes it possible for older adults to enjoy the comforts of their own home for as long as possible. We offer a customized care plan that includes services such as; Hourly Senior Home Care, 24-Hour Home Care, Dementia Care, Personal Care and Companion Care. Also ask us about our Veterans’ Home Care program.
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