Living In Assisted Living Facility: Methods For Increasing Appetite In The Elderly

May 2, 2023 0 Comment Category: Assisted Living

Assisted Living Facility, Methods for Increasing Appetite
It is crucial to keep trying to get the elderly residing at assisted living facility to eat even if they don’t want
to. Elderly folks can boost their appetite in several ways. In this article, we’ll examine the causes of elderly
people losing their appetites, natural appetite stimulants, and ways of doing so recommended by geriatric
experts.

Causes Of Appetite Loss In The Elderly

Gum illness
Thyroid conditions
Throat and mouth infections
Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’ disease
Cancer
Issues with the salivary glands
Medication adverse symptoms, like a metallic aftertaste or dry mouth
Inadequate exercise
Dehydration
Lack of a mealtime schedule on a daily basis
Taste loss brought on by aging
Issues with swallowing, chewing, or independently eating
Sensitivity to certain food scents that can make you feel sick
General sense of being powerless over one’s life
Depression and loneliness
Overall negative emotions throughout mealtimes
We shall discuss how to boost the appetite in the elderly in the next two sections.

Foods For Older People Who Don’t Like To Eat

Finding foods to satisfy an elderly person’s appetite can be a straightforward treatment for loss of appetite.
Several foods are:
Chicken nuggets, fish sticks, steaming or raw veggies, and meatballs are examples of finger foods.
String cheese or cheese sticks
Full-fat or calcium-rich yogurt
Lean proteins such as lentils, beans, and peas
Sliced thinly or ground meat
Whole milk or milk with chocolate
Chopped fruit
Crackers with cheese or peanut butter
Healthy smoothies or milkshakes

Wholesome soups
Warm cocoa
Cottage cheese with added fat
100% fat milk
Cereal and bread enriched with fiber
Eggs and fish high in vitamin D
Let’s now go through natural ways to make older people hungrier.

Methods For Increasing Appetite In The Elderly

Identify the fundamental problem by consulting a doctor, if a disease, infection, or medicine is the root
cause of the lack of appetite.
Create a routine. The body can be trained to detect when it is time for meals by eating at around the same
time each day.
Adapt to your dietary habits. Don’t force yourself to start eating three big meals every day if you prefer to
consume tiny snacks throughout the day. Maintain healthy meals that meet your lifestyle.
Make your food easier to digest. It is known that fennel, ginger, rosemary, or turmeric can help treat
anorexia. Furthermore, it’s advised to stay away from foods with strong aromas.
Serve water between meals and restrict fluid intake while eating. Liquids can help seniors properly swallow
food by moistening it, as well as by preventing dehydration, which naturally suppresses appetite.
Investigate various food temperatures. People occasionally switch between liking hot meals and cold meals.
Establish independence. Too much involvement by caregivers with a loved one’s food habits can
occasionally be harmful. As far as choosing how and when to eat, give them freedom of choice.