There are many reasons for the loss of appetite in seniors.
Appetite is considered an essential indicator of health. When we get sick, we often lose our appetite. This is a normal reaction to illness that occurs on both the conscious and subconscious levels. We do this to raise our immune system to fight infection and disease.
Loss of appetite is one of the most common symptoms of illness in the elderly. If a senior loses interest in food or stops eating altogether, it’s a sign they’re not feeling well. Being monitored regularly by doctors, many illnesses that cause loss of appetite can be prevented over time with proper treatment.
Illnesses That Can Cause a Loss of Appetite in Seniors
If your loved one suddenly stops eating, it’s essential to ask questions. Illness can affect people differently, and a loss of appetite is one early indicator that something could be going on. Some illnesses which cause loss of appetite in seniors with dementia include:
Dementia – Loss of appetite is another effect of dementia. Seniors with dementia have difficulty making decisions and performing tasks that they once could do quickly. This may make them less interested in eating because they don’t like the idea of preparing meals or sitting down to eat them.
In such cases, seniors with dementia may lose interest in food because it is difficult to swallow, or they might not recognize what food is. Because there is no cure for dementia, treatment for this type of loss of appetite aims to make it easier for the patient to eat and swallow food.
Anxiety – Fear, anxiety, and frustration can cause loss of appetite in seniors with dementia. The perception that everything has been taken away from them (including their ability to make choices) can lead to extreme behavioral changes like loss of appetite.
This might also include refusing to eat foods with certain textures or smells. A caregiver can help by ensuring a senior’s state of mind is calm and relaxed, taking the time to explain to seniors why specific changes have been made, and reassuring them that they still have control over some aspects of life.
Muscle deterioration – Muscle deterioration affects the ability of your loved one’s esophagus to move food from their mouth into their stomach. As a result, food may get stuck in the esophagus, causing a blockage that prevents your loved one from being able to swallow food.
Your loved one may feel full after only a few bites of food and may even begin regurgitating or vomiting soon after eating because they are unable to eat enough food at one time to digest it in their stomach correctly.
Loss of Taste and Smell – After age 65, taste loss is common. The tiny structures that house the taste buds, become less sharp and distinct. Also, many of the head injuries and strokes that seniors suffer can damage the nerves serving the taste buds.
Even if you don’t have a diminished sense of taste, you might not enjoy your food if your sense of smell is also compromised. The olfactory system sends signals to the brain on whether you like or dislike a particular smell. If there isn’t much of a signal received, then your brain may not send its approval to your stomach to let it know you are hungry.
Improper Chewing and Swallowing – This can also contribute to losing appetite in seniors with dementia. When chewing is difficult because teeth are missing or not fitting together correctly, it’s hard to experience pleasure from eating food. Swallowing difficulties may also result from stroke or head injury and make it uncomfortable to eat.
Dehydration – Dehydration causes loss of appetite in seniors, but there are many other reasons this can happen. For example, a new medication or a change in diet could be the culprit. When your loved one is not eating well, it’s essential to treat the underlying cause so they can typically eat again.
Make sure your senior loved one has enough fluids and nutrients every day. If they’re not eating as much as they usually do, you may need to help them get more calories without adding extra food to their diet.
Try stimulating their appetite by:
• Mixing some nutritional supplement powders with their favorite beverage
• Try sprinkling powdered drinks on applesauce or pudding, yogurt or ice cream
• Add different seasonings on foods instead of adding salt
Treatment for Loss of Appetite in Seniors
A medical history and physical exam are the first steps your doctor will take to diagnose your loved one’s loss of appetite. Most commonly, loss of appetite in seniors is caused by other factors such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, or medications.
However, if doctors cannot determine the cause, they may need a blood test and X-ray to check for underlying diseases like diabetes, kidney, or liver disease. Their doctor may also order special tests, including a CT scan or PET scan, to determine if they have cancerous cells in your body.
Other than that, the best thing to do is to make sure that your loved one eats regularly and has a balanced diet.
Seniors with dementia may try new foods or refuse foods they usually enjoy; however, it is essential to try and feed them new foods if they are willing to eat them.
Loss of Appetite in Seniors – Final Thoughts
Seniors can have any number of reasons for losing appetite, ranging from depression to medication to illness. Keeping a watchful eye on your senior’s eating habits can help keep them healthy and happy.
To learn about how Applewood Our House assists with loss of appetite in seniors or if you have any other questions, contact us today!
