Undernutrition and even malnutrition are serious problems for many elderly, report Dr. Naushira Pandya and registered dietician Cecilia Rokusek of Nova Southeastern University. Illness, medications, a decline in the sense of smell and taste and other factors play a role in decreasing appetites in the elderly. Helping the elderly find a way to eat more of the right foods can prevent illness, improve their quality of life and help them live longer.
Step 1
Ask the person if he or she is depressed. About seven million Americans over age 65 suffer from depression, according to Katrina Greenhalgh of the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Depression can cause a decrease in appetite. Treating depression may lead people to eat more normally.
Step 2
Review medications. Many elderly persons take multiple medications for physical ills such as high blood pressure, pulmonary disease, diabetes and other ailments. Digoxin, anti-inflammatories, anticonvulsants and psychotropic drugs are among the medications Dr. Pandya cites as leading to a decrease in appetite. Consult the person's doctor to determine if different drugs that don't suppress appetite might be prescribed, or if taking the drugs in a different way or at different times might be less likely to interfere with eating.
Step 3
Take the person shopping for nutritious, flavorful foods. According to Dr. Pandya, as people age, they lose much of their sense of smell and taste, which can make food less flavorful. At the same time, they may be on diets that restrict such flavorings as salt and sugar. Use herbs and spice as substitutes for sugar and salt to make food more flavorful. Difficulty swallowing or chewing can also limit the foods a person can eat, so shop for things that appeal to them that are easy to eat. Puddings, milkshakes and soups may be options.
Step 4
Provide easy means of meal preparation. Without a strong hunger drive, people may be less inclined to go to any trouble to eat. Something as simple as installing a microwave and stocking the freezer with easy to reheat meals can make mealtime easier. Offer to fix one of these meals and eat it with the person. Many elderly are more inclined to eat if they don't have to do so alone, reports the University of Florida Extension.
Step 5
Exercise. Dr. Pandya and Ms. Rokusek found that mild resistance exercise three times a week increased muscle strength and mobility. Exercise can also increase appetite. Pandya and Rokusek recommend using resistance bands or light weights. Even people seated in wheelchairs can perform this kind of exercise.
Step 6
Brush the tongue. The University of Florida Extension reports that brushing the tongue with a regular toothbrush whenever you brush your teeth can stimulate taste buds so they're more receptive to the flavor in food.
Step 7
Provide plenty of snacks and smaller meals. The elderly may get full before they've met their caloric requirement for a meal. Eating more often helps them take in more nutrition. Pandya and Rokusek also report that eating more often helps stimulate the appetite.
Things You'll Need
- Herbs and spices
- Microwave
- Toothbrush
- Exercise bands or light weights
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