Appetite loss is not necessarily due to aging, but can be affected by aging along with other factors and forces that people have in their lifestyle. Yes, appetite loss can be affected in such ways as having no or less energy and motivation to cook, multiple medications and their side effects (i.e. nausea and vomiting), health conditions, and more. Hence, it is imperative to make sure that your elderly loved ones get the right nutrients amidst the inevitable aging process.
We all know that poor diet leads to nutrient and vitamin shortages in the body that can cause relative and significant health problems. You can diminish the harmful effects of poor nutrition even with the idea that loss of appetite does not always mean something is wrong.
Best Care Home Health, Inc., the finest home healthcare provider in Illinois, sees the concern of the aging process as the host of physiological changes causing the dwindling of appetite among the elderly. What should you be concerned about?
- Dental problems and gastrointestinal changes
- A lower metabolic rate and reduced physical ability means senior need fewer calories and lose fewer extra calories
- Changes in the senses can affect the way they enjoy food
- Medication side effects
- Loneliness or depression
- Health conditions such as head and neck cancers, thyroid disorders, Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease, mouth and throat infections or periodontal disease, etc.
Best Care Home Health, Inc., a dedicated home health care provider in Illinois, can help you with those problems! Here are some of the best ways on how you can help inspire the appetite of your elderly loved ones:
Routine: The Key Strategy
Routine is very important to older people since their bodies and minds can be better with habits. In order to stimulate their senses, you can still have the regular meal plan (breakfast-lunch-dinner) with snacks in between but they should be given at the same time of the day (24/7).
You can ask help from your in-home caregiver; just include this as you formulate their daily plan with your home health care provider in Illinois! As for Best Care Home Health, Inc., we provide meal management in our wide-range of home health care services for seniors!
Senior diet: The Creative and Healthy style
Seniors often feel overwhelmed with too large quantities of food. It is considered a major “turn off” since they can only eat smaller portions and might misunderstand that they are only eating small from what is considered “enough”.
So the healthy style is to know the appropriate senior serving size accustomed to what their doctor approves.
For someone who has low appetite, a large quantity of food can only discourage them from eating altogether. A large amount of food can really be a major “turn off” for seniors since these can overcome them. You can start with smaller serving sized and give second helpings. You can increase the number of healthy calories like adding stuff like cream, olive oil, peanut butter, or peanut butter to their mealtimes.
Although most seniors are set in their ways, recall that their taste buds may have already altered. Familiarizing new foods will not hurt your loved ones,particularly when they are doctor-approved. So, doctors approve that keeping their plates colorful and imaginatively wonderful can be attractive to the eye growing the chances of accommodating them.
Interactive Dining: Key to Happiness
It is not every day that family members can eat together with the older parents but having a family get-together once in a while can be fun for elders and can make them feel less alone. You can also have your loved ones eat meals with friends, community center, church, or even with the caregiver. This should help them avoid the isolation and sadness that usually result from eating alone.
Physicochemical Changes: Respond Well
Water and foods like meat might taste “off” and bizarre to your elders. This could be the side effects of their medications so you better try other sources like dairy and beans if they are allowed. Adding herbs, sliced fruits and vegetables like lemon or cucumber can make them feel better towards it. You can let them chew sugarless gum, an oral rinse prior to meals, or brushing often can improve taste sensation.
If you consider getting a dedicated home health care provider in Illinois for your elderly loved ones, call Best Care Home Health, Inc. today!