Have you heard your elderly parent or spouse saying this a little more frequently?
It's common for a senior's appetite to decrease over time, and there can be a number of different reasons why; low energy, decrease in sense of taste and/or smell, oral health issues, medications, etc.
Overall, if activity levels decrease, so do the number of calories needed. The caution here is that this can become somewhat of a vicious circle; decreased appetite means fewer calories eaten which depletes energy reserves, which in turn, lowers the ability to maintain previous levels of activity. Lower activity decreases the body's demand for calories, and hence, a decrease in appetite.
Eating the same volume of food as they used to is not as important as making sure the food they do eat is "nutritionally dense". Remember, the nutrients in the amount of food your loved is no longer eating somehow have to shift over to what they are eating. Food choice and quality, along with supplementation are then critical to ensure they're getting all the nutrients they need on a daily basis.
© Nancy Glover | Aging With Grace | www.AgingwithGrace.ca | info@agingwithgrace.ca |604-916-2291
Do you need help with setting up a plan to ensure your loved one is well nourished?
Contact Nancy to inquire about a Caregiver Action Plan assessment where all aspects of care are reviewed in order to help families create a more dynamic and positive experience for the care of their loved ones.
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Nancy Glover, a healthy aging advocate, mentors extraordinary women and men who have stepped into the challenging role of caring for their elderly spouse or parent by managing their well-being in the later stages of life. Blending first-hand expertise with practical step by step systems to support the needs, goals, and desires of the elderly spouse or parent, Nancy helps caregivers maneuver the complex and often challenging role with supportive advocacy and resources that equally focus on everyone’s well-being. Learn more about her at www.agingwithgrace.ca and sign up to receive timely information and strategies to empower caregivers and families in transition.