5 Things To Try When Your Senior Parent Has No Appetite

By Care Street Home Care Staff | December 20, 2024 | Comments Off on 5 Things To Try When Your Senior Parent Has No Appetite
Elder Care in East Brunswick NJ

Elder Care in East Brunswick NJ

One of the most challenging things about taking care of a senior parent is trying to get them to eat when they have no appetite. Seniors needs to eat balanced healthy meals in order to be healthy. But when your senior doesn’t want to eat, it can be tough to convince them to.

There are many reasons why your senior mom or dad may not feel hungry. Often, seniors who take multiple medications may lose their appetite as a side effect of those medications. If your parent is lonely, depressed, or anxious that can also impact their appetite. And it’s also common for seniors to just not want to eat much as they get older.

Luckily, there are many things that you can do to try and convince your mom or dad to eat when they have no appetite or aren’t eating enough. One of the best things that you can do for them is get elder care.

With elder care, someone will be with your mom or dad all day who can encourage them to eat. So if your mom or dad isn’t hungry in the morning, a care provider will encourage them to eat a healthy lunch or make them some healthy snacks throughout the day.

And an elder care provider can keep track of how much your mom or dad is eating throughout the day so you’ll know for sure if they are getting enough to eat.

Some other things that you can try to get your mom or dad to eat when they don’t have a lot of appetite are:

Offer Small, Frequent Meals

Sometimes, seniors don’t feel like eating large meals. Offering smaller meals throughout the day can make eating less overwhelming for your mom or dad. Instead of three big meals, try offering five or six smaller meals. This way, your mom or dad can eat more often without feeling too full.

Small meals can be easier to digest, and they may feel less pressured to eat a lot at once. Include healthy snacks like yogurt, fruit, or nuts between meals to help them get the nutrients they need.

Make Meals More Appealing

The appearance and smell of food can make a big difference. If your senior parent isn’t interested in eating, try making their meals look more appealing. Brighten up dishes with colorful fruits and vegetables.

Try new recipes that use different textures and flavors. Warm, home-cooked meals often smell better than cold, pre-packaged food. If your mom or dad enjoys the taste and smell of their meals, they may be more willing to eat.

Serve Their Favorite Foods

When your senior parent doesn’t have much of an appetite, it can help to offer them foods they love. Comfort foods or their favorite meals can encourage them to eat.

Even if these foods aren’t the healthiest options, it’s important to get your mom or dad to eat something. Once they are eating more regularly, you can slowly add healthier choices to their meals. Offering foods that make them happy can boost their appetite and help them eat more.

Add Extra Calories in a Healthy Way

If your parent isn’t eating much, they might need extra calories to stay healthy. You can increase the calorie content of their meals without making them feel overly full. Try adding healthy fats like olive oil, avocado, or nut butter to meals.

You can also use whole milk or cream in cooking, and add protein-rich foods like eggs, cheese, or beans. These foods add extra calories and nutrients, making meals more filling and nutritious without increasing the volume too much.

Make Eating Social and Enjoyable

Eating can become a more enjoyable experience if it’s social. Try sitting down and eating with your mom or dad whenever possible. Conversation can help distract them from their lack of appetite. If your parent enjoys being around others, consider inviting family or friends over to share a meal. This can make mealtime feel less like a chore and more like an enjoyable activity.

If you or an aging loved one is considering elder care in East Brunswick, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Care Street Home Care today. Call (732) 607-8870.

Care Street Home Care Staff
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