The changes that occur with getting older are something that will affect every one of us eventually. As we enter our older years, this truth becomes increasingly obvious to us. As we age, not only do we become less agile and more prone to sickness, but we also find that we no longer take pleasure in the same activities. There are aspects of our lives that start to change for many of us, such as an increased tendency to forget things and an increased risk of falling and other types of injuries. On the other hand, our eating routines are something that we frequently neglect to think about.
It can be very disorienting for our loved ones who used to have a healthy appetite but then discover that their eating habits have completely changed. Either they don’t feel hungry or they develop aversions to certain types of food. Something like this starts affecting the way that seniors consume food, which even leads to the development of eating disorders. Whatever the case may be, a significant number of senior citizens are currently going through this transition in their lives, and as a result, we need to have a solid understanding of the reasons why something like this could take place. The following four factors may have an impact on your eating habits as you become older.
Medication Management for Seniors
As a person ages, their body undergoes numerous changes. For instance, the body’s proportions of water, fat, and muscle fluctuate. Additional alterations to the body are also brought on by some medical diseases. Due to these modifications, you might:
- More susceptible to the effects of medication
- Not being able to properly process medications
- Have a hard time getting medicine out of your system
- Become more susceptible to adverse reactions and drug interactions
Because your brain and nerves change as you age, issues like memory loss or impaired vision may start to affect how you actually take your medications. For instance, it is simpler to forget to take your medication or mistakenly take it twice.
Because medication interacts in a variety of ways, it can have a significant impact on the eating patterns of elderly people. Some drugs, for instance, have the potential to impair the absorption of nutrients from the food that we eat and to stifle our appetite. It is possible that, as a result of this, many elderly people may lose interest in eating. Their sense of taste will change, and they will no longer derive the same pleasure from food that they previously did.
A ConsidraCare live-in elderly caregiver can do medication management for seniors. They can be reminded about taking their tablets and even discussing with doctors the side effects and possible interactions of medicines.
Having less of a desire to consume food
Because of the physiological changes that take place in the body as a natural consequence of aging, many elderly people find that they lose their desire to eat as they get older, as stated in a journal published by the National Library of Medicine and titled “The Decline of Appetite in Older People.” In addition to the effects of drugs, the journal says that hormonal changes, diseases, pain, changes in the senses of smell, sight, and taste, problems with the digestive system, and a general decrease in the need for energy can all cause a person to have less or no appetite.
Problems with Swallowing (Dysphagia)
Dysphagia is regarded as one of the most devastating conditions that can afflict elderly people, among the plethora of diseases that can strike this demographic. The medical term for trouble swallowing is known as dysphagia, and it can be brought on by several different issues, including abnormalities in anatomy or function. It is also possible for it to be brought on by an infection or injury to the brain, the esophagus, or any other component of the digestive system.
Most of the time, a person with dysphagia will struggle to successfully swallow solid food and liquids. When they eat, they might also experience coughing or choking, and they might need the assistance of goods like Simplythick Easy Mix to thicken their meals and beverages, making it easier for them to ingest food and drink. The severity of a person’s dysphagia might vary greatly from case to case. Some older people with dysphagia may only have mild symptoms, while others may need help from a doctor to be able to swallow again in the right way.
Poor Dental Health
Dental health is something that many of us will have to deal with as we get older, and it is something else that can affect the dietary habits of the elderly. Dental health is something that many of us will have to deal with as we get older. If a person’s teeth are broken or missing altogether, it’s possible that they won’t be able to eat certain kinds of food. Some elderly people rely on dental implants or dentures, but if they aren’t properly fitted or aren’t kept up to date, they may have difficulty chewing particular meals.
In addition, if a person has dental problems that restrict them from consuming specific foods, such as an infection or tooth decay, this could lead to malnutrition, which in turn could cause them to lose weight.
ConsidraCare provides elderly caregivers for senior loved ones. They help with medication management for seniors and can make sure their eating habits are prioritized.
