If you notice that you or your loved ones are struggling to consume food during mealtimes, then it is likely that you simply have no appetite. This is an important issue to address for that it may result in multiple other conditions caused by a lack of nutrition. To stay healthy, sharp, and active, we all need to consume sufficient amounts of food regardless of age. To better figure out how to make older adults increase their appetite, it is imperative to first understand what makes them lose their appetite in the first place.
Why the Elderly Lose Appetite
If the loss of appetite results from side effects of medication or serious health conditions, then it is highly recommended that you schedule an appointment with the doctor for a check-up and advice.
However, apart from health-related issues, loss of appetite can also stem from other issues that can be addressed such as:
- Lack of eating routine
- Lack of exercise
- Being dehydrated
- Loss of taste
- Inability to prepare meals
- Depression or loneliness
- Sensitivity to certain smells
- Difficulty eating, chewing, or swallowing
- Unpleasant mealtimes
- Loss of control
By being able to identify the root cause of the loss of appetite, it becomes much easier to formulate a solution to older adults losing their appetite. Unfortunately, not every adult is able to resolve the issues independently. In most of the above causes, intervention and supervision can greatly aid in improving the situation. As such, if you or your loved one is not consuming enough food and don’t always have someone to assist in their eating habits, then it may be a good time to make changes before any deterioration in health happens.
Living Communities
If you are worried about your loved ones not consuming enough food, then relocating to a living community might be the best option. In living communities such as The Summit, residents are able to live independently yet have access to facilities and programs optimized for older adults. One such facility is Sensations Dining, which is available at The Summit.
Every resident has access to Sensations, where mouthwatering and nutritious meals are prepared by executive chefs daily for every meal of the day. In addition, the menu served there is rotated daily so that residents won’t ever be tired of eating the same food. In another bid to encourage appetite, the menu consists of both international cuisines as well as local comfort foods. This way, you or your loved ones also won’t have to worry about having to prepare meals on a tiring day again.
Apart from that, living programs such as assisted living means that there will always be staff to ensure the safety and health of every resident. There, professionally-trained staff will assist residents who have difficulty in eating, and programs are also put in place for those that tend to wander off during mealtimes. Here at The Summit, you can rest assured that every resident gets sufficient nutrition from their diet and is in good hands.
