Common reasons for loss of appetite include medical conditions, a change to your sense of taste or smell, the side effects of medication, problems swallowing, and mental health issues like anxiety.
Loss of appetite can be surprisingly common in your senior years. Research shows that it can impact up to 30% of all seniors.
If you are in a senior living community in Glendale, AZ, recognizing the signs of appetite loss is crucial for your health, and understanding the underlying cause will help you seek the right help. Read on to learn what you need to do if your appetite has dropped.
Sometimes, older adults can lose their appetite when they experience a change in taste or smell.
When taste buds weaken, it can make many meal options seem unappetizing, especially if that person struggles to recognize hunger pangs. Similarly, poor smell can reduce the sensations that normally help us to feel hungry, such as when we smell a freshly baked loaf of bread.
Some illnesses can interfere with our taste and smell, such as COVID-19, or when you are suffering from a virus that blocks your sinuses. It can also happen as a side effect of some medications or after dental treatment.
If you notice a loss of smell or taste, try experimenting with spices and herbs to make meals more appealing.
If you are currently dealing with a medical condition, that can sometimes cause a loss of appetite. Common illnesses and conditions that impact a senior's appetite include:
These illnesses can cause a range of symptoms that interfere with hunger cues, such as stomach pain, nausea, bloating, fatigue, or forgetfulness. It's important to see medical help if you have a change of appetite, as they are best placed to rule out whether there is an underlying condition that's causing you to eat less.
In the meantime, manage the symptoms by eating smaller meals but more frequently, and prioritise nutrient-dense food.
Some medicationscan cause you to lose your appetite or experience side effects like nausea, which can trigger a loss of appetite. Always check prescription medications for side effects such as:
Sometimes, a combination of medications can create symptoms that include a loss of appetite, too.
If you are in doubt, speak to your healthcare professional. Ask them about the combination of medicines you are taking, and if you are worried about side effects, talk to them about whether there are alternatives, especially if appetite loss is causing you to lose weight.
Some mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline, can affect your appetite.
Loneliness can have an impact, too, making you feel so isolated that enjoying a meal on your own feels difficult. Anxiety and low moods can often leave you feeling mentally preoccupied, and you might not prioritise food. And cognitive decline, like memory loss, can make some seniors forgetful, and they may not realise they have skipped mealtimes.
It's important to keep active and stay social if you face mental health conditions. Even meeting a trusted friend for a meal can help with your appetite.
A toothache can be painful if you bite down on hard food, and sometimes that can be enough to cause you to avoid eating large meals and switch to smoothies and soups instead. But long-term tooth problems that aren't addressed with a dentist can leave you with an ongoing aversion to enjoying mealtimes as you did in the past, and over time, this could lead to appetite loss.
Other problems in that area, like problems with your throat or jaw, can have the same detrimental effect on eating, causing you to worry about choking and avoiding certain meals. Always get help from a dentist or healthcare professional if you have difficulty chewing or swallowing food.
If you lack an appetite, don't make the mistake of simply skipping a meal. It's important for your body to get nutrients, even if you don't feel hungry. Aim to reduce your portion size or eat a large snack instead. Good food options for those with a low appetite include:
Eating with others can also help to keep you relaxed, helping you focus on conversation rather than how much food you've consumed. However, if loss of appetite persists, it's vital you speak to your healthcare provider so they can check for underlying causes.
It can feel frustrating if you suddenly find yourself with a loss of appetite. However, it's important not to panic and recognize this can be a common experience in aging, but that it doesn't have to be permanent. For most people, it's about making some small adjustments.
Your lifestyle and routine will have changed in retirement, and that needs to be reflected in what you eat and when. It's also worthwhile reflecting on whether there could be any mental health triggers for your appetite loss, such as grief.
There are two main worries with loss of appetite in seniors. The first is that it can cause weight loss and leave you underweight. The second is that you'll lack the nutrients you need to stay healthy.
Don't ignore the symptoms of appetite loss. Seek medical advice.
Now that we've looked at some of the common reasons for loss of appetite, you should have a clear plan of what to do next. Adjust your meal timing and seek professional support if the issue is prolonged.
Come and visit Westgate Village, Glendale, AZ, to discover how a supportive senior environment can help you stay healthy. We offer pet-friendly accommodation, a central location in Glendale, Phoenix, and an on-site health and wellness program.