As seniors get older they can experience low appetite. Several different factors can cause your mom or dad to not want to eat. Finding out why your mom or dad isn’t eating enough and finding ways to encourage them to eat is very important because many seniors become malnourished as they get older. The first thing that you should do is get companion care at home services for your mom or dad.
Malnourishment can happen even if your senior parent is eating. If they aren’t eating enough calories each day or they aren’t eating the right nutrients they can become malnourished. Malnutrition can cause serious health problems for your mom or dad like cognitive decline, a higher risk of stroke or heart attack, bone loss, muscle wasting, and impaired mobility.
If you are worried that your mom or dad may be malnourished because they are losing weight without trying, or not eating, or if their doctor has mentioned they could be malnourished there are some things you can do.
If your mom or dad has companion care at home services someone will be with them throughout the day. A care provider can encourage them to eat, keep track of what they are eating, and help them figure out why your mom or dad isn’t eating enough.
In addition to getting companion care at home services, if your senior parent is malnourished you can also help them by:
Offering Small, Frequent Meals
Many seniors struggle with eating large meals, so smaller, more frequent meals can be a better option. Encourage your parent to eat five or six smaller meals throughout the day instead of the traditional three.
Focus on nutrient-dense foods like eggs, yogurt, nuts, or cheese to ensure they’re getting the calories and nutrients they need. Preparing snack-sized portions that are easy to grab can also make it more convenient for them to eat regularly.
Stocking Up On Nutrient-Rich, Easy-to-Eat Foods
Seniors with malnutrition often need foods that are easy to chew and digest. Choose nutrient-rich options that are soft or can be made softer through preparation.
For example, soups, smoothies, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and oatmeal are all excellent choices. Add healthy fats like avocado or olive oil to increase calorie intake without making meals feel too heavy. You can also look for fortified foods that provide extra vitamins and minerals.
Serve High-Calorie Drinks
When eating enough solid food is a challenge, high-calorie drinks can help fill the nutritional gap. Protein shakes, meal replacement drinks, or homemade smoothies with ingredients like milk, fruit, nut butter, and protein powder are great options. These drinks are easy to consume and can pack a lot of calories and nutrients. Try to get your mom or dad to have one or two high-calorie drinks a day, especially if their appetite is low. They can sip the drink over a few hours too, which is sometimes easier for them.
Making Meals More Fun
Seniors are more likely to eat well if meals are a pleasant experience. If you can’t be there in person, a care provider can be there to help cook meals as well as share meals with your mom or dad.
You can also try serving food on colorful plates or arranging it like a restaurant meal to make it more festive and fun. Try playing some of your mom or dad’s favorite music at meals, or using the good dishes that never get used to make meals more of an event.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Companion Care at Home Care Services in Crestline OH, please contact the caring staff at Central Star Home Health today. Call 419-756-9449
Central Star Home Health is a Trusted Home Care Agency in Ohio including Ashland, Bellville, Bucyrus, Crestline, Galion, Lexington, Mansfield, Marion, Mt. Vernon, Ontario, Shelby, and Willard.
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