By Connie Chow, Founder at DailyCaring
Loss of appetite is common in seniors
Many older adults struggle during mealtimes or simply refuse to eat because they’ve lost their appetite.
This is an important issue to address because seniors need to eat well to stay as healthy and active as possible.
But how can you convince someone with no appetite to eat? And why do seniors lose their appetites in the first place?
To help you figure out why this happens, we explain what types of health conditions could cause a loss of appetite and share 10 reasons why someone wouldn’t want to eat.
First, rule out serious health conditions or medication side effects
If your older adult suddenly loses their appetite, it’s important to talk with their doctor. A check-up might be needed to rule out serious health conditions or medication side effects.
Some serious illnesses cause changes to taste and appetite, including:
- Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease
- Thyroid disorders
- Cancer
- Mouth and throat infections or gum disease
- Salivary gland problems
Medication side effects like dry mouth or a metallic taste can change how food or water tastes, which can also cause a loss of appetite.
10 reasons for loss of appetite in seniors
If loss of appetite isn’t caused by a health or medication issue, here are 10 other reasons why someone might not want to eat.
1. Lack of exercise
Regular exercise and activity helps boost appetite. Sometimes, seniors need to work up an appetite before they can eat.
2. Dehydration
Being dehydrated can cause loss of appetite.
Many older adults don’t get enough fluids and become dehydrated more easily because of age-related changes or medications they’re taking.
3. Lack of routine
Getting into a daily routine where meals are eaten around the same time every day can help their body feel ready to eat at those times.
4. Inability to prepare meals
Seniors who live independently might not be eating because preparing their own meals has become too difficult.
5. Loss of taste
With age, many people’s taste buds become less able to detect flavors. Normal food might be bland and unappetizing to them.
If eating has become too difficult or unpleasant, many older adults simply don’t want to eat.
These problems can be caused by:
- Normal aging (wear and tear on the body)
- Dental problems
- Medications
- Medical treatments like surgery
- Stroke, dementia, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, or other health conditions
7. Sensitivity to smells
Sometimes people develop a sensitivity to the smell of certain foods that can make them feel nauseated or unable to eat.
8. Depression or loneliness
Depression affects 1 in 10 seniors and often causes loss of appetite.
Many older adults may also dislike mealtime because they have nobody to eat with and their loneliness gets intensified.
9. Loss of control
When older adults are dependent on others for everything, they’ve lost control over how they want to live their lives.
Sometimes, not being able to choose what to eat makes someone not want to eat at all.
10. Mealtimes are unpleasant
If mealtimes have become a time for disagreements or arguments about their eating, seniors could associate food with unpleasantness and avoid it.
Next Step Try these 6 ways to encourage your older adult to eat more
Recommended for you:
- 6 Ways to Get Seniors with No Appetite to Eat
- SNAP Benefits for Seniors: 7 Key Food Assistance Program Facts
- Chair Yoga for Seniors: Reduce Pain and Improve Health
PC DHAR
You said reasons, but not discussed on solutions for elderly people unable to take food in apt quantities .
DailyCaring
You might be interested in our companion articles that continue this topic:
– 6 Ways to Get Seniors with No Appetite to Eat https://dailycaring.com/6-ways-to-get-seniors-with-no-appetite-to-eat/
– 9 More Ways to Get Seniors with No Appetite to Eat https://dailycaring.com/9-more-ways-to-get-seniors-with-no-appetite-to-eat/
Stephen
So where does one draw the line between not being as hungry as one once was and what is a healthy appetite? I do not need nor do I want to eat as much as I once did… but I do want to cut back on portion size and the number of meals…
DailyCaring
Appetite and nutrition are unique to each person. The best person to make this assessment is your own physician.
Michael Bogan
Hello,
Yes I’m having a serious problem … Eating?
I need Help.
Thank you.
DailyCaring
We strongly recommend that you see your doctor to find out if there are underlying health conditions that could be making it difficult for you to eat.
Martinez Stella
My 86 year old mother has lost considerable weight in the last year or so. Test results were fine but she is suffering from severe constipation and she became scared to eat anything. She didn’t eat for two days and became very lethargic. I am looking for suggestions of what foods will help her.
DailyCaring
We’re so sorry to hear about this situation. It’s good that her doctor hasn’t found any underlying health conditions that could be causing her weight loss.
Helping to relieve her chronic constipation may help her to feel confident enough to eat. We’ve got suggestions for lifestyle changes that can help with constipation here – Constipation in Seniors: 6 Effective Home Remedies https://dailycaring.com/constipation-in-seniors-6-effective-home-remedies/
It may be better not to make too many changes to her diet at once, gradual changes will be more comfortable for her body to adapt to.
If the severe constipation persists, ask the doctor to do a more thorough exam to find the cause. There could be a medical issue that’s causing a problem.
Lynne
Thank you. I have a upper denture now for five years and I don’t like it at all. I will get up in the morning and want to eat like a strawberry and even put one in my mouth and laugh as I realize I don’t have my denture in.
Elsa Collins
I find this topic very educative. A big thank you!
DailyCaring
You’re very welcome! So glad this is helpful.
Gail Dickens
Thank you for this information. I now realise that it’s my dentures that have made me lose my joy in good. My life seems to have changed since I had these dentures. I don’t like them at all.
DailyCaring
So glad this article is helpful! We hope your dentist can help make your dentures more comfortable to wear. Or, if they’re new, perhaps it will just take a little time to adjust to having them in your mouth.
Marva Bernard-Gordon
I have found this article very informative. I can now try new ways to get my mother to eat
DailyCaring
So glad these suggestions are helpful!