Editor’s Note: The following column was originally published Jan. 29, 2022.

Thanks to breakthroughs in medicine and nutrition in recent years, we are living longer than ever before. But this increase in life expectancy also brings an increase in the number of diseases, injuries and impairments that affect older adults. With this in mind, we at the local Visiting Angels office in Salem have created this series of articles to keep our older population and their families informed and to offer some practical advice for meeting the challenges faced by seniors and those who care for them.

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As many people age, eating healthy becomes a challenge for them and they refuse meals because they’ve lost their appetites. This can be a serious problem since eating well is an important part of a senior’s overall health, and without the proper nutrition, they may lose weight quickly and become frail. While there are many causes that may lead to a decreased appetite in older adults, there are some methods which can be used to improve eating habits.

However, the first step to healthier eating for seniors is to be sure their loss of appetite isn’t being caused by a more serious medical condition. Certain cancers, thyroid disease, and infections in the mouth or throat can all lead to appetite changes or an altered sense of taste, as can conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Also, the side effects of some medications can include a dry mouth and changes to taste.

Even if a senior’s loss of appetite is not caused by other medical conditions, many changes that occur in the body as a result of the aging process can make mealtimes difficult and unpleasant. Many older adults experience changes to taste and smell. Certain flavors may not taste as bold as they once did, which may lead to food tasting bland. Similarly, certain smells may become offensive with age, which lead a person to stay away from recipes that they once loved.

Age-related changes can also lead to a reduced sense of hunger, even when it’s been a while since their last meal. These changes often accompany a lack of physical activity. Conditions such as arthritis and certain neurological impairments may make it difficult for some seniors to hold onto eating utensils, which makes sitting down to meals difficult for those individuals.

Arthritis, dementia and difficulty walking or standing can also make the act of preparing healthy meals difficult for some seniors. As a result, they may come to rely on less healthy alternatives, such as fast foods or pre-packaged dinners, which can both be high in sodium and sugars, or simple, high-calorie snack foods such as cookies or snack cakes.

Some older adults may find eating difficult because dental problems make chewing unpleasant, and medical conditions such as strokes, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis can lead to problems with swallowing. Seniors may avoid mealtimes if they are lonely or depressed, especially if they are eating alone, because these times can make their loneliness worse, and a loss of appetite is often caused by depression.

Dehydration can be a serious problem for older adults, and it can also lead to appetite loss. Many seniors who do not follow a regular routine to ensure that they are drinking enough fluids become dehydrated without even knowing it. In addition, dehydration also leads to a loss of energy, which can mean less physical activity and a loss of appetite.

In addition to staying hydrated and boosting their appetite by staying physically active, there are other techniques that seniors or those caring for them can use to ensure that they are eating enough nutritious foods, including following a regular routine. Often serving meals or eating snacks at the same times every day will act as a signal to the body that those are the times to eat. The seniors may get hungry at these times, but even if they don’t, it’s still a good idea to follow the routine because our sense of hunger declines as we age.

It’s also a good idea to serve smaller portions of foods that are higher in nutritional value. In some cases, several smaller meals may be a better option than three larger ones, and these could include fruits and vegetables – cut into smaller pieces if necessary – cheeses, peanut butter, and meats and eggs – also cut into smaller pieces, and soups.

Keeping healthy snacks close at hand for hunger between meals is another good option. Cookies and cakes can be replaced with cheese cubes, cheese sticks or yogurt, a glass of milk, fresh fruit or vegetables, or peanut butter and crackers. Sometimes a person who may not be hungry when they sit down to eat at mealtimes can get the nutrition they need by “grazing” on healthy alternatives throughout the day.

For those seniors who find managing utensils difficult, finger-friendly foods are an option. Fruits and vegetables – raw or steamed – fish sticks, sandwiches, and chicken tenders or nuggets, can sometimes be easier to hold than a fork or spoon. For those times when utensils are a must, using specially designed silverware with thicker handles or grips on the handles can make the task less of a challenge.

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Information provided by Visiting Angels, America’s choice in homecare. Visiting Angels’ non-medical homecare services allow people to continue enjoying the independence of their daily routines and familiar surroundings. To set up an appointment for a no-obligation in-home consultation, call 330-332-1203.