By Jennifer Bradley, Staff Writer
Eat small portions. Snacking isn’t just for kids. Many
loved ones may not have the desire to eat three
substantial meals each day. It’s perfectly acceptable
and encouraged to eat when hungry. Fresh fruits,
vegetables, crackers and cheese, yogurt, or a bowl of
soup are all good options.
Count calories. Many will hear these words the day they
start a new diet. For someone experiencing a loss of
appetite and fearing malnutrition, it’s the same
concept, though the goal is to consume extra calories,
not cut them! “When you’re older, 70 or 80, there’s no
such thing as bad food when you’re losing weight.” says
Dr. Margaret-Mary Wilson in an MSNBC.com article. She
teaches and researches geriatric medicine at Saint Louis
University.
Nutritional supplements should be used with extreme
caution, only at the recommendation of a physician. A
loved one may not process Vitamin A, for example, as
quickly as a younger person. It may cause more problems
than solutions. However, a daily multi-vitamin, says the
AARP, could be a benefit, as well as a zinc supplement.
Talk to a doctor for advice on how to proceed with a
vitamin regiment.
At any age exercise is important and it’s easy to drift
away from daily stretching as we age. But, it’s just as
important at 80 as at 8 years old. Moderate strength
training will increase metabolism, thus appetite. Many
public television stations offer daily stretching
programs targeted specifically for an older audience.
One last topic regarding loss of appetite is one a
caregiver may not realize is the underlying factor:
money. Everyone knows the cost of food continues to
rise, and the economy is hitting hard all around. A
loved one on a fixed income is no exception. The money
issue is even more pronounced in those who can’t
comprehend these price trends and why something costs
“so much.” Hence, they don’t buy the product, and go
without necessary nutrition. A touchy topic it is, but
one a caregiver must be aware of.
A loss of appetite in a loved one can be a very simple
problem as loneliness with a quick fix by offering
companionship. It also can suggest a more complicated
issue such as medication side effects, that require more
creative solutions. As a caregiver, it’s important to
take notice when a loved one starts turning down their
favorite bowl of ice cream.
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