Suppose the person you are caring for has not
been eating well for some time now. This is a
great concern, as adequate nutrition is essential
for maintaining optimal health and well-being.
Eating problems are common and can be the result of
many factors.
First, consider your loved one’s medical
conditions. Has there been a new diagnosis or
a change with an existing one? Has there been
a medication change? A side effect of some
medications can be a change in appetite or taste
sensations. Aging itself can result in
decreased sensitivity to tastes. Could there
be an underlying problem with the mouth, tongue,
teeth or dentures? Sometimes a loss of weight
can result in dentures not fitting properly, causing
pain with eating. Is there a problem with
swallowing? Often, an evaluation by a Speech
Language Pathologist is needed to identify the
problem and make appropriate recommendations. Any
of the above problems will need to be discussed with
a doctor.
Next, consider the psychological implications of
not eating. Poor eating can be the result of
depression. A change in diet, be it due to
becoming a new diabetic or having to have food
pureed due to a swallow problem, can cause a lack of
enjoyment that was once associated with eating.
Also, eating may be one of the few things that your
loved one has control over. He may be choosing
not to eat, simply because he can. Giving him
more control and choices in other areas of his life
may help to improve eating habits. If you
suspect depression as a possible cause of eating
difficulties, discuss it with your doctor, as there
are many effective treatments available.
Finally, is your loved one having
difficulty with the physical act of feeding himself?
Weakness, decreased range of motion, impaired
coordination, low vision or tremors can impair their
ability to feed themselves and result in frustration
and embarrassment. There are many simple
solutions for these issues. Someone having
difficulty grasping a utensil may benefit from
built-up handles. Tremors can be lessened by
adding weight to utensils or the person’s wrist,
resulting in fewer spills. Handled cups with
lids and spouts are also effective in lessening
spills. For someone with worsening vision,
increasing the contrast between the plate, food and
table may allow them to see the contents of their
meal a little easier.
Providing finger foods
may also help to increase independence for someone
with visual or coordination impairments. A short
course of Occupational Therapy may be indicated to
improve arm and hand strength, range of motion, and
coordination if difficulties persist.
Addressing eating difficulties as soon as
they arise can prevent more serious complications in
the future.
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