Would you like to learn about tricks to stimulate appetite in the elderly? Upon hearing the word anorexia, many of us may unconsciously think of teenagers and young adults; But the fact is that anorexia is observed in the elderly as well. Mental and psychological disorders on the one hand and physical diseases on the other hand cause the elderly to face problems in daily nutrition. Anorexia is one of these problems. In previous article we talked about easy to swallow foods for elderly. In this article from the humanhealthmag, we are going to investigate the symptoms and causes of anorexia in the elderly. We will also provide solutions to solve this problem. We invite you to stay with us until the end of this article.
Causes of Anorexia in the Elderly
Before explaining tricks to stimulate appetite in the elderly, it is better to know the causes of anorexia in the elderly. Aging is associated with changes in the body that can naturally cause anorexia in the elderly. For example, dementia, as one of the complications of aging, causes some people to forget even how to eat. A person may even forget to eat during the day. Of course, the story does not end there. Among the most important factors that cause anorexia in the elderly, the following can be mentioned:
- Alcohol addiction
- Gastrointestinal disorders (heartburn, nausea, gastric reflux, flatulence, diarrhea, etc.)
- Types of cancer
- Having various types of cardiovascular diseases
- Depression
- Pulmonary disease
- Stress and anxiety
- Taking certain medications
Anorexia Symptoms in Seniors
Diagnosing the symptoms of anorexia in the elderly is not very simple; Because many symptoms occur naturally with age. Therefore, if you see any of them, you cannot definitely diagnose anorexia. Usually, if a combination of the following symptoms is observed in the elderly, you should see a specialist for further investigations in this field:
- Anxiety and depression in the elderly
- fatigue
- insomnia
- Tooth damage
- hair loss
- Digestive problems
- Hypersensitivity to cold
- Isolation and withdrawal from groups
- Skin discoloration and dryness
- Stomach pain
- Go to the toilet immediately after eating
- Desire to eat alone
- Sudden weight loss
Diagnosing Anorexia of Aging
Explaining tricks to stimulate appetite in the elderly requires proper diagnosis of anorexia in the elderly. If you notice signs and symptoms of anorexia in the elderly, you should see a nutritionist. Doctor examinations determine the causes of anorexia in elderly people. Tests such as blood tests, abdominal imaging, and endoscopy help the doctor make a final diagnosis.
For example, if anorexia is rooted in neurological problems, the desired result cannot be achieved without eliminating mental disorders. Therefore, maintaining mental health in the elderly is of great importance; Because it appears from many disorders and diseases as a result of nervous problems and not having a healthy mind in people.
Tricks to Stimulate Appetite in the Elderly: Techniques for eliminating anorexia in the elderly
There are tricks to stimulate appetite in the elderly and also various techniques for treating anorexia in seniors. The methods that each of them is derived from scientific methods and have been fruitful on significant people. Choosing the right treatment methods should be done in consultation with a specialist doctor. Based on this, among the solutions for treating anorexia in the elderly, the following can be mentioned:
- Elderly psychological counseling (helping to cope with the grief of losing loved ones, restoring self-esteem, treating depression, etc.)
- Setting up a healthy diet with the advice of a nutritionist
- Increasing the number and decreasing the volume of meals per day
- Attending family gatherings to enjoy meals
- Involving the elderly in the food preparation process
- Cook the favorite dishes of the elderly
- Consuming enough drinking water during the day and night
It is very important to control the amount of water consumption and drink fresh and healthy water in an anorexic elderly person! Because neglecting this issue will lead to dangerous consequences such as lack of water in the body of the elderly, and this issue can endanger people’s lives.
Tricks to Stimulate Appetite in the Elderly: Tips That Should Be Followed in Feeding the elderly
Above-mentioned tricks to stimulate appetite in the elderly are very effective and useful. One of the important points to consider when dealing with anorexia in the elderly is their behavior. Usually, elderly people are very secretive about anorexia. For this reason, it is unlikely that you will hear anything from them about not wanting to eat. Your excessive and unprincipled insistence on eating them will only make the situation more complicated. For this reason, it is necessary to consult experts in this field to intervene in their diet. Among the points that you need to follow in feeding the elderly, the following can be mentioned:
- Use olive oil instead of regular oils to prepare food.
- If they resist the consumption of milk, go for food supplements to provide calcium.
- Daily consumption of one walnut meets the elderly’s need for omega-3.
- Soft foods and purees are better choices for seniors who have difficulty chewing.
- Replace boiled and grilled foods as much as possible with fried foods in the elderly diet.
- Be sure to regularly include fruits and vegetables in the diet of the elderly.
Tricks to Stimulate Appetite in the Elderly: Healthy and Appetizing Foods for the Elderly
There are foods that you can take help to solve the problem of anorexia in the elderly. Consuming these foods increase people’s appetite for food. Best food for elderly people with no appetite include the following:
- Carrot juice
- Olive oil
- Ginger
- Honey
- Pomegranate
- Shatter sweat
- Red grape
- Apricots
- Figs
Tricks to Stimulate Appetite in the Elderly: Complications of not eating in the elderly
Just as overeating is the cause of many diseases, anorexia in the elderly and consequently not eating also cause many problems. Not consuming food makes the body not have the calories needed for metabolism. As a result, by consuming body fats, we will see a drastic weight loss in the elderly. Constant tiredness and sleepiness are among other problems faced by the elderly.
The body’s need for minerals and vitamins is also provided through food consumption. Therefore, anorexia causes a lack of vitamins and minerals in the body, which leads to the occurrence of all kinds of diseases, including malnutrition in the elderly. Don’t forget that the body of the elderly is also susceptible to various diseases. Not eating increases the risk of various physical diseases, which in acute cases lead to the death of elderly people.
Concluding Remarks
How to increase appetite in elderly? In this article we mentioned tricks to stimulate appetite in the elderly. The important thing in dealing with anorexia in the elderly is that they usually cannot cope with such a problem alone. For this reason, it is necessary that someone is present next to them. Nursing the elderly facing the problem of anorexia has special conditions. The accurate statistics of the consumption of food and liquids of the elderly must be monitored by the nurse day and night. Do you think does senior helpers pay weekly or bi-weekly?
Also, a written meal plan should be prepared under the supervision of a nutritionist, taking into account the interests of the elderly. The exact implementation of this program is the responsibility of the nurse or the elderly care center. When preparing food for the elderly, first-class, fresh and high-quality raw materials must be used. In addition, decorating food in an attractive way has a great effect in helping to increase the appetite of the elderly.
FAQs
Why Do the Elderly Lose Appetite?
Alcohol addiction, gastrointestinal disorders, types of cancer, cardiovascular failure, depression, lung disease, stress and anxiety, and the use of certain medications are among the causes of anorexia in the elderly.
What is the Reason for Anorexia in the Elderly with Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s causes the elderly to forget to eat during the day and night. In acute cases, people may even forget how to eat. Therefore, they need special care.
Is the Use of Appetite Suppressants Allowed for Seniors?
Prescription of appetite suppressants should be done by examining the general condition of the physical health of the elderly under the supervision of a specialist doctor.