If your senior is eating like a bird, you might be a little bit frustrated and possibly worried. Nutrition is incredibly important at every stage of life, but especially for older adults. Looking at things like timing, what she’s eating, and whether medical problems are creating a barrier can all be helpful.
Put Together a Realistic Schedule
Your elderly family member may not eat much if she’s just eating when she feels hungry. There’s not really much wrong with that approach, unless she’s hardly eating at all. If that’s the case, setting up a realistic meal and snack schedule can be helpful. Aim for putting something into her system every couple of hours, even if it’s just a snack.
What Your Senior Eats May Matter More than How Much She Eats
In truth, what your senior is eating may be far more important than how much of anything she’s eating. So, even a healthy snack that is nutrient dense is better than a meal of empty calories. What you’re aiming for here are whole fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. A bit of peanut butter with an apple could be a fantastic snack, for instance. Work with what your senior already enjoys eating and find ways to include more nutrients alongside those foods.
Figure out if Company Helps
Some people really don’t like to eat alone, and that may be something you never realized about your senior. For her, eating alone may be an unpleasant activity that she just wants to avoid. If it’s possible, consider trying to eat meals with her or find ways to offer her companionship during meals. In-home care providers are an excellent choice for this situation. In-home care providers can offer help where it’s needed and serve as a companion for all sorts of activities, including meals.
Try to Work out Why This Is Happening
There’s likely a reason this is all happening, but you and your senior might have to go into detective mode to figure it out. Everything from medical issues to dental problems could be contributing. Your senior’s doctor can help you to rule out possible medical causes. Ailments or medications can all have a role to play in denting your elderly family member’s appetite. If your senior has dentures or has issues with her teeth, talk to her dentist about what might be going on.
Depending on what all is causing your senior to be avoiding food, there are a variety of possible solutions you can try out. Don’t be afraid to get creative, and talk to your senior about what she thinks might help.
If you are considering In-Home Care Services in Haile FL, for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Touching Hearts Home Care. Call today: 352-225-3727.
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