Worried about a loved ones’ loss of appetite?
Many elderly people lose their appetite as they age which is a cause of concern to family and friends.
There are many contributory factors including
- Loose dentures
- Sore mouth
- Medication
- Constipation
- Stress
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Loss of taste & smell
A lack of exercise and fresh air does not help either. Also eating alone is not fun.
Looking at this from an alternative point of view – We are led to believe animals only eat when they are hungry.
Humans eat when they think they should, 3 meals a day. How many people have breakfast because it is the done thing to do ?
Are you really hungry at 8 am ? I personally feel there is something to be said for eating when your body tells you it is really hungry and stopping when it tells you it is not full,rather no longer hungry.
Eating less has been linked to living longer and many elderly people are feeling more stress as loved ones worry and fuss over a lack of appetite.
Obviously a healthy balanced diet would be the ideal but for an elderly person in their 80’s does it really matter what they eat ? Surely the pleasure in food is to enjoy more of what they fancy.
