Why do older adults lose their appetite? How do you know if nutrition needs are met? And most importantly, what can you do about it?
Is Loss of Appetite in Elderly Individuals a Cause for Concern?
In some cases, loss of appetite in elderly adults is simply a part of growing old and requiring less energy to get through the day
However, if you notice signs of restrictive eating, like trouble swallowing, or rapid and sudden weight loss, there may be cause for concern. One study suggests that weight loss in seniors is associated with an increase in mortality.
Determine if Health Conditions or Medication Side Effects Might Be Factors
If you notice a sudden loss in appetite, a rapid decrease in weight, or increased fatigue, it’s important to consult a doctor. Ruling out medication side effects or serious illness will be the first step in determining the cause of elderly loss of appetite.
Illnesses that may cause changes to appetite and taste include:
Cancer
Thyroid disorders
Mouth and throat infections
Gum disease
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease
Salivary gland problems
Fluctuating hormone levels may also cause a loss of appetite in elderly adults. A recent study from the University of Plymouth suggests that the production of the hormone that lets a person know when they’re full may become over-stimulated in the elderly. Tests may be needed to rule this out.
Increased fatigue may be a sign of malnutrition in the elderly and could cause a weakened immune system, making seniors more susceptible to illnesses or injury due to frailty.
What Causes Loss of Appetite in the Elderly?
Several physiological changes may affect our appetite as we age. These can include changes to:
The digestive system
Hormones
Sense of smell, taste, and vision
Pain levels
Overall health
At Heritage Heights, our community offers structured, nutritious meals to ensure that the health and nutrition needs of our residents are being met. Our staff takes pride in creating a delicious and exciting menu that takes into account personal food preferences, allergies, and specific medical needs.
If you or your senior are unable to meet nutritional needs at home, it may be time to consider assisted or senior living facilities
Common Reasons for Loss of Appetite
Dehydration
One study showed that up to 40% of seniors are chronically under-hydrated and adults over the age of 65 have the highest hospital admission rates for dehydration.
This could be a result of certain medications, forgetfulness, or simply not feeling thirsty due to sedentary lifestyles.
In addition to a loss of appetite, dehydration may be responsible for a variety of serious health conditions, including kidney stones and UTIs as well as a higher risk of falling.
Loneliness or Depression
Some seniors may come to dislike mealtime because they don’t want to eat by themselves or prepare food for just one person. This may cause an elderly person to skip meals.
Additionally, depression affects between 10-20% of seniors and can cause a lack of appetite. Depression is not a normal condition and should be treated like any other illness.
Signs of depression include:
Sadness, hopelessness, or despair
Unexplained aches and pains
Lack of energy and motivation
Loss of interest in hobbies or socializing
Poor sleep habits
Slowed speech or movement
Neglecting personal care
Increased use of drugs or alcohol
Memory problems
Fixation on death
Feelings of worthlessness
If you suspect you or your loved one may be experiencing depression, consult a physician right away.
Loss of Control
Sometimes older adults may feel as though they’ve lost control over their lives when they become dependent on others.
Not being able to choose what or when to eat can cause issues with appetite, especially if mealtimes become a time for disagreements over food.
If you’re caring for an elderly person, try including them in meal decision-making and preparation. This may help give them a sense of control and desire to eat what’s being served.
Difficulty Chewing or Swallowing
Eating can sometimes become unpleasant or difficult, making many elderly adults resistant to mealtimes. Difficulty chewing or swallowing may be caused by certain issues, such as:
Dental problems
Medications
Surgery or medical treatments
Dementia, Parkinson’s, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and other health conditions
Fatigue or pain
If swallowing issues are not linked to a more serious illness, some steps can be taken to reduce the effort required to chew and swallow food, such as:
Blending foods into smoothies
Taking smaller bites and eating slowly
Adding a thickening agent to liquids
Lack of Exercise
A sedentary lifestyle can lead to loss of appetite in elderly adults. Seniors may need to work up an appetite to feel hungry.
Seniors should be getting 150 minutes of physical activity each week. This can be divided into short intervals of 10 minutes of exercise two to three times a day.
Physical activities should include:
Strength training
Balance exercises
Aerobic exercises
Flexibility training
Food Aversion
If a senior is recently placed under the care of an at-home caregiver or an assisted living facility, new foods, preparation methods, and schedules can affect their desire to eat.
Just like most of us, if an elderly person is being served foods they’re not accustomed to or don’t particularly like, they’re not likely to eat them.
Loss of Taste
Physiological changes may cause a loss of taste in the elderly which may be worsened by events such as chronic disease or taking multiple medications.
Sour and bitter flavors may become more pronounced, while sweet, salty, and umami tastes tend to decline with age. This may prompt seniors to eat less or choose to increase their sweet and salty foods, which may be lacking in nutrition.
Sensitivity to Smells
Your sense of smell can begin to diminish as you get older, especially after the age of 70. This could be caused by a loss of mucous production and nerve ending in the nose.
Mucous not only helps odors stay in the nose long enough to smell them but also helps clear these odors from the nerve endings.
Certain things, such as diseases, smoking, and exposure to harmful particles in the air, may cause the loss of smell to speed up.
A loss of smell can decrease your enjoyment and interest in eating.
Lack of Routine
A lack of routine can result in confusion around eating times and may cause the elderly to skip meals. Creating a routine that includes 5-6 small meals throughout the day can help seniors hit their target nutrition.
Try establishing a meal plan that includes a variety of foods that you or your loved one will look forward to eating. Routine and mealtime enjoyment may help stimulate appetite.
When you take the time to determine the cause of appetite loss, work together with your doctor or nutritionist, and encourage small changes, eating regularly should become less of an issue.
Whether it’s caused by an underlying medical condition, or a part of the natural aging process, our nutrition specialists are qualified to meet the nutritional needs of our residents who are experiencing a loss of appetite.
We provide restaurant-style dining at all our facilities, making mealtime a social and enjoyable time for our seniors. When visitors are expected, our residents can make use of our private dining rooms to entertain their guests while enjoying a nutritious meal prepared by their loved ones or our culinary staff.
The content in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.