Why Might Your Senior Be Losing Her Appetite?
Any time your senior experiences changes to her normal behaviors, like losing her appetite, that can make you nervous as her caregiver. There are a lot of different factors that can contribute to a loss of appetite in an older adult.
Medical Reasons
A wide range of medical problems can cause your elderly family member to lose her appetite. Cognitive changes, like the ones experienced with dementia and Parkinson’s disease, can be to blame. Or your senior may have other issues, such as dental issues or medication side effects that change how food tastes. You may need to rule out these causes before looking at other ones.
No Routine
Routines really do make your senior’s life a lot easier. Her body and her brain learn what to expect. Having set times for activities, meals, and sleep and waking all help to keep her body and her brain “on task.” That can jump start her appetite again. Routines don’t have to be restrictive, either. Start with a sleep and wake time and then move on from there.
Inactivity
If your elderly family member isn’t moving much anymore, her body and her brain decide that she doesn’t need as many calories as she was taking in before. That leads to a decrease in appetite, whether that’s appropriate for your senior or not. Adding regular exercise under the guidelines set up by her doctor can help.
She’s Dehydrated
Dehydration can affect a great many of your senior’s internal systems, including her appetite. If she’s not getting enough water each day, her gastrointestinal system may not be working as well as it could be. Talk to your elderly family member’s doctor about how much water your senior should ideally be drinking. Getting closer to that goal may be able to get her appetite back to normal.
Food Doesn’t Taste the Same
A really common cause of low appetite for older adults is that foods just don’t taste like they used to. This can be because of medication side effects, but it can also be caused by changes in your senior’s ability to smell and to taste. These senses, like hearing and vision, can change over time and have impacts that your senior doesn’t really expect.
There may be a variety of other reasons your elderly family member is losing her appetite. It’s a good idea to bring up the issue with your senior’s doctor so that you can start to get to the bottom of the situation.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Caregiver Services in Forsyth GA please contact the caring staff at Angels of Mercy Private Homecare Services, Inc. today at 478-745-5111.
Angels of Mercy Private Homecare has been providing in-home care services since 2002 throughout the Macon and Middle Georgia Area.
Angels of Mercy Private Homecare Services provides in-home care that improves the lives of the clients. Our services help them maintain the highest possible level of independent living. We provide In-home private duty care and care management services for seniors throughout the Middle Georgia area.
Our CNA (certified nursing aides), caregiver, and companion services allow our clients to age in the place where they feel most comfortable and secure - at home. Combine our Home Care Services, with our Geriatric Care Management component, and we provide the most comprehensive assistance for the Middle Georgia areas seniors.
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