How Can You

HOW CAN YOU STIMULATE A SENIOR’S APPETITE?

Proper nutrition is imperative as you age. It not only helps an aging individual stay strong and healthy, but also aids recovery from any ailments.

But what do you do when your older loved one has lost their interest in eating and isn’t getting the nutrition they need?

A senior with no desire to eat can prove to be a difficult challenge. We’ve rounded up some savvy ideas for you to try to help increase a waning appetite.

• Create a routine: If your loved one doesn’t have a regular eating schedule, encourage them to start eating at a specific time daily. This will help train their bodies and mind to look forward to a meal every day.

Savvy suggestion: Identify the point in the day when their appetite is strongest and any factors that may have influence (i.e. sleep, mood, activities, etc.).

• Get them to eat with others: Loneliness and depression are associated with an increased loss of appetite in older adults.

Seniors may enjoy eating more if they view it as a social activity instead of a chore.

Savvy suggestion: Plan dates with friends, family or neighbors. Also consider your local senior center or faith-based community for meal opportunities.

• Include more finger foods: Seniors experience loss of coordination and shaky hands, making it difficult to use utensils. This may lead to them rejecting their meals due to embarrassment or frustration. Consider items like fruit,

chicken nuggets and sandwiches as they can eat these with their hands.

Savvy suggestion: Don’t shy away from variety. Changing up the menu not only prevents them from getting bored, but also allows you to analyze which foods they’re able to handle best. Also, be sure you’re incorporating vital minerals such as calcium and vitamin D for bone health. When providing protein, seniors require between 1 and 1.3 grams for each kilogram of their body weight.

• Combat medication side effects: Medications can come with nasty side effects such as dry mouth and metallic taste. Besides being uncomfortable, these can lead to loss of appetite. Encourage seniors to brush their teeth, use a mouth rinse or chew sugar-free gum before eating to treat dry mouth.

Doing so gets saliva flowing, enhances their ability to taste, and reduces discomfort, which may help boost their appetites.

Savvy suggestion: If their food tastes “off,” consider adding fruits or herbs to make a flavor more prominent. For example, try infusing water with lemon, mint or cucumber.

• Let them choose: Help make your loved one feel more empowered by including them in the decision-making. Let them get involved in what they will eat and how it will be prepared.

Savvy suggestion: Start a meal off with a small portion of their favorite snack or appetizer.

• Drink the food instead: Many seniors have difficulty with chewing and/or swallowing. In such cases, go with smoothies, soups or bottled nutritional drinks.

Savvy suggestion: Start with ingredients they already love. Mix in healthy flavor boosters such as cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, cocoa and unsweetened matcha powder.

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Discover more powerful tips + tricks to handle diminishing appetites at srgtexas.com/getcaregivertoolkit