How to Assess a Senior’s Nutritional Status and Determine whether a Loved One Is Eating

The nutritional needs of their elderly loved ones are a worry for many households. As we become older, the arduous process of going grocery shopping, preparing meals, dining by ourselves, and then cleaning up the kitchen might seem like an impossible task. As we become older, we experience a natural decrease in our appetite, and mealtimes may start to seem more like a duty than a joy to us.

Since elderly people do not live together, it is difficult for family caregivers to discern whether or not their loved ones are getting enough to eat. It is extremely challenging for long-distance caregivers who are only able to pay their loved ones sporadic visits in person to ensure that their loved ones are maintaining a diet that is at least moderately healthy. It is essential to be aware of the warning signs of malnutrition in the elderly and to take prompt corrective action in this regard because malnutrition is extremely prevalent among this age group and can result in additional health issues.

Warning Signs That an Older Person Is Not Getting Enough To Eat

There are situations in which it may not be immediately apparent that an elderly loved one does not consume a diet that is healthful and well-balanced. The easiest approach to determine whether or not elderly people who claim that they are eating properly are really doing so is to visit them in their homes and see the conditions of their kitchens. Keep an eye out for the following red flags that could indicate a nutritional deficiency in the diet of a loved one.

Changes in Weight

The majority of people think of poor nutrition for seniors as being synonymous with weight loss. However, it is essential to realize that a person can be overweight or even obese and still be malnourished. It is normal for an older adult’s weight to experience some ups and downs, but it is concerning if they lose a significant amount of weight unexpectedly or quickly. On the other hand, gaining weight may also be a source of the difficulty. Bear in mind that changes in body composition are a normal part of the ageing process. “Weight loss later in age happens in part because fat replaces lean muscular tissue, and fat weighs less than muscle,” states the website for the United States National Library of Medicine (US National Library of Medicine).

Emerging or deteriorating health concerns

A bad diet may be the cause of newly diagnosed health disorders, such as diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, or even repeated infections. Indicators indicating an existing chronic ailment is not being handled appropriately, such as a heart attack, stroke, or high blood sugar level, are also considered to be red flags. A person’s immune system, day-to-day functioning, and overall quality of life may all be negatively impacted by nutritional, vitamin, and mineral deficiencies.

Yet, changes in health brought on by a lack of nutrition are sometimes quite subtle. Be on the lookout for signs such as low levels of energy, increased falls, an inability to remain warm, disorientation, poor wound healing, digestive disorders, and trouble with chewing or swallowing. While malnutrition is likely the primary cause of some of these symptoms, there is a possibility that others are also contributing to the condition.

Having insufficient food options or not enough food available

Examining the contents of a senior’s refrigerator and pantry might provide a wealth of information on the senior’s eating routines. Empty shelves might indicate that the elderly person is having difficulty moving around or getting to the shop because they lack transportation options. Items that have gone bad or beyond their expiration date might be a sign that an elderly person has neglected to consume the food they have on hand and is also failing to maintain the kitchen properly stocked and clean.

It is not enough for senior citizens just to have a lot of food in their homes; what matters more is the variety and quality of the foods they eat. The use of an excessive amount of processed meals should raise some red flags. Everyone has the right to indulge and look for shortcuts from time to time, but if a senior’s stockpiles are mostly composed of high-sodium TV dinners, junk food, or sweets, this is a concerning indicator of their eating habits. It is not a good idea to rely only on meal replacement shakes since, in most cases, they are designed to be used in the place of a snack or on rare occasions as a meal replacement.

How to Deal with the Elderly’s Declining Appetite and Resulting Malnutrition

If you have reason to believe that a person you care about is not eating properly or is not eating at all, you will need to take action to make sure that they are getting the proper amount of nourishment. You may make an effort to convey the significance of maintaining a healthy diet to your parents, but they may just grin, tell you they’re eating, and go on doing whatever they want regardless of what you say. Realize that they are entitled to this privilege. As long as a senior is deemed mentally competent and is not placing themselves or others in danger, they are free to make their own choices, even if those actions are harmful to themselves or others.

A little amount of problem-solving may go a long way toward helping seniors who are more responsive or slightly less autonomous rediscover their appetite and consume healthier food. A bad diet in an elderly person may have been brought on by any one of a number of circumstances, including socioeconomic, physiologic, pathologic, and psychological concerns. By addressing each of these aspects, you will be able to more effectively put up a thorough strategy to guarantee that they will get the nutrients that they need.

Make an appointment for a geriatric assessment.

Making an appointment with your primary care physician, preferably for a comprehensive geriatric evaluation, is the best way to get things rolling. An elderly person’s functional skills, physical health, cognitive function, lifestyle, diet, medication regimen, and a great number of other aspects that directly impact the quality of life will be evaluated as part of this comprehensive examination. A comprehensive evaluation ought to unearth the majority of the underlying reasons for diminished appetite, changes in weight, and deficits in vitamin and/or nutrient intake. Depending on what the findings show, there may be a need for further examination and testing.

When in doubt, it is best to consult an expert.

If the findings of the medical evaluation show that a senior citizen may benefit from working with a nutritionist, the senior’s primary care physician may suggest making such an appointment. For instance, a dietitian may assist in the development of a personalized diet plan and menu in order to fulfil the specific dietary requirements of an older adult. A wide variety of Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), often known as “Area Agencies,” provide clients with nutritional services such as screenings, education, and counselling.

When it comes to addressing dental concerns, trouble swallowing (also known as dysphagia), and cognitive impairments, respectively, other professionals such as dentists, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and neurologists might be of assistance. These disorders may have an effect on a senior’s appetite and nutrition, making it difficult for them to consume nutritious food.

Locate the Supporting Services You Need

There are many different services that may give the necessary assistance to a senior citizen, and these services vary according to the reason(s) why they are not consuming a proper diet.

SNAP Benefits

Consider assisting an elderly person in submitting an application for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program if they are unable to afford to supply their kitchen with nutritious meals (SNAP). According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), despite being eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), 5.2 million older Americans do not enrol in the program. This accounts for three out of every five seniors. Visit BenefitsCheckUp.org to determine whether or not your loved one is eligible for SNAP as well as a wide variety of other benefit programs offered by the federal government, individual states, and private organizations.

Companies That Deliver Meals

There are a lot of elderly people who either lack the stamina or inclination to go food shopping and cook meals on a daily basis. A senior meal delivery service that is properly chosen will give seniors nourishing meals that can be readily reheated and enjoyed after they are delivered to their front door. When older persons have easy access to nutritious meals that they like eating, it increases the likelihood that they will consume such meals. Meals on Wheels is one of the most well-known organizations that provide financial assistance to hundreds of community-based programs around the country that are working to combat elder hunger and social isolation by providing seniors with free or low-cost meals. There is a plethora of choices when it comes to paid delivery services for both groceries and meals.

Elder Care Options

It is possible for elderly people who live alone and do not have a robust local support structure to not get the assistance, monitoring, and encouragement they need to eat healthily.

For instance, even if a long-distance caregiver makes arrangements for their loved one to get meals delivered to their home, there is no way to ensure that the meals will really be consumed. To ensure that elderly people get the appropriate amount of nourishment, home care organizations may offer services such as food shopping, transportation for errands, companionship, meal preparation, and feeding help. 

If the functional abilities of a loved one have significantly deteriorated and they are unable to perform the activities necessary to live independently (such as shopping, cooking, and eating), it may be time to consider a higher level of care, such as senior living. This is especially true if the functional abilities of the individual have significantly deteriorated.

It Is Important to Be Candid About the Changes in Your Appetite That Come With Aging

It is not required for an elderly person to have three substantial meals every day; as people age, their appetites and nutritional requirements alter. When it comes to their elderly loved ones, family caregivers need to modify the expectations they have for them around meals and mealtimes, even if doing so might be challenging. It might be of great assistance to have an understanding of the factors that contribute to these shifts.

There are treatments available for some of the factors that contribute to changes in eating habits, including lack of appetite, but not for all of them. Just do all in your power as a family caregiver to make sure that the person you are caring for has access to nutritious meals and snacks, prompt medical treatment, and high-quality supporting services.

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