If you’re noticing that your elderly family member isn’t eating like she used to, there might be a reason. Always talk to her doctor first to rule out health issues, and then consider some of these ideas.
Increase Activity Levels
As long as her doctor agrees, your senior may find that increasing her activity levels helps to stimulate her appetite. Even taking a short walk a few times a week can get the ball rolling for her. As she starts to eat more often and feels stronger, she may be able to do more in the way of physical activity.
Give Your Senior Lots of Choice
Choice is huge for your elderly family member. There may be a lot of areas in her life right now that don’t offer her much choice at all. Her meals and snacks need to be one area in which your senior is able to pick and choose foods that she likes and is willing to eat. A caregiver can provide many different types of foods throughout the day that can satisfy your parent’s needs.
Try More Finger Foods
Sometimes aging adults find that their appetites are hindered because of situations that are embarrassing, like having trouble using a fork. Making food more fun and eliminating obstacles can help a lot. Finger foods are a great way to achieve both of those goals. Cut food up into smaller bite-sized pieces for your elderly family member.
Add Nutrition to Smaller Portion Sizes
Increasing portion sizes might feel like a good answer when your elderly family member has been having a tough time eating. But that can become overwhelming and it may not be more that your senior needs. Choose foods that are high in protein, like eggs or poultry, or in healthy fats, like olive oil or avocado, and offer those in addition to normal portion sizes.
Add a Social Layer to Eating
Lots of people can’t eat alone. If that describes your senior, part of what might help is to make her meals as social as you’re able to make them. One solution is to hire a caregiver who can help your senior with a variety of different needs, as well as offering companionship during meals.
Stick to a Mealtime Routine
Routines offer a lot of support for your senior overall, and they can do the same when it comes to meals and appetite. A regular routine around eating encourages your senior’s body to expect to eat at certain times. That alone can help to stimulate appetite.
If these ideas don’t work for your elderly family member, her doctor may have some other ideas for her to try. Once her doctor determines what could be causing her loss of appetite, a home care provider can help your senior prepare quality meals and remind them to take any medications that may be necessary.
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE IS CONSIDERING HIRING CAREGIVERS IN LOS GATOS, CA, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT HOME HELPERS TODAY (408) 317-4969.
