If your parents are still living in their own home one of the many things you may be worried about is whether or not they are eating properly. Just checking the cabinets and refrigerator to see if they have adequate and healthy food may not be good enough. I’ve had several clients who appeared to have a plenty of groceries in their cabinets, but on closer examination much of what they had was expired and out dated. The food they were buying wasn’t being prepared and eaten in a timely matter.
Researchers in Sweden have found that up to 15% of all older adults between 75 and 80 were at risk of malnutrition.
Many things can factor into this, People who are depressed often just don’t feel like eating, mobility problems may make it difficult to get up and make meals or mild dementia may just cause them to forget to eat every meal. Lose of teeth and even the sense of taste can also contribute as well as many factors from illness to medications that can cause a loss of appetite.
What can you do if you suspect your parent or loved one is getting inadequate nutrition?
The first thing you need to do is talk to your loved one’s doctor, if your parent will allow it, but it’s important to keep in mind that the doctor may know as little about their eating habits as you do. He will, however, be able to tell you if they are taking any medications that may decrease the appetite or have any disease that could put them more at risk. He may also be able to tell you if there has been any unexplained recent weight loss that could indicate a problem.
Symptoms of Malnutrition in the Elderly
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