What Causes Appetite Loss in Seniors
If you’re caring for your senior loved one, you can be disheartened when they lose their appetite. When they start losing their appetite, it is important to identify its causes. Appetite loss in seniors may be normal, but it may also be due to certain illnesses, such as thyroid diseases, dementia, liver disease, kidney failure, COPD, and cancer, among others.
As a dedicated provider of care at home in Connecticut, we’re here to help you care for your senior loved one even with their appetite problems. However, it is also important to identify the common causes of this appetite loss. These causes include the following:
- Decrease in Metabolic Rate
A person’s metabolism helps develop their appetite. Yet, in the senior years, the body slows down in producing hormones for metabolism. This also results in appetite loss. - Decline of Sense of Taste
Seniors experience the decline of their senses, which is normal as we age. They may not be able to taste or smell the food very well, which reduces their appetite. - Dental Problems
Our aging loved ones can also have dental issues that make eating or chewing harder. Help your senior loved ones to take care of their teeth and gums. Sage Home Care’s caregivers can also accompany seniors to the dentist’s clinic for regular check-ups. - Medication Side Effects
It is normal for seniors to take many medications daily. Some of these medications can result in side effects that affect their appetite. - Loneliness
When our senior loved ones spend time alone at home, they can feel lonely. This might discourage them from doing anything, including eating. To address this, in-home caregivers can keep them company during meals and with other activities.
As your aging loved one faces appetite problems, our professional care providers can help you address their nutritional needs. If you’re looking for recommendations for quality senior care, call or send a message to Sage Home Care to learn more about our care at home in Connecticut. For a full list of all of the communities where we provide care, please visit our Service Areas page.