Lots of seniors find that as they get older, their appetites decline. The problem is that sometimes aging adults aren’t getting enough nutrients or calories to keep themselves healthy. Figuring out why seniors are struggling with their appetites can help families put solutions to work that will help. 24-hour home care providers can be there to offer support to seniors all day and all night, with all sorts of challenges they might face.
Set a Routine for Meals and Snacks
If seniors don’t have a solid meal and snack schedule, now is the time to set one. Consistency helps seniors to try to get their bodies on board with the idea of eating more often. Having a set time to eat a meal or a snack means that their brains and bodies start to expect food around those times. Even just eating a little bit during those times can help.
Focus on Making All Meals and Snacks Nutrient-Dense
After consistency, the next step is to make sure that everything seniors eat, from snacks to full meals, is as full of nutrition as possible. Cooking healthy meals on a regular schedule can be too much for seniors to keep up with on their own. This is why convenience foods and pre-packaged foods are usually easier to grab, but a steady diet of these types of foods isn’t enough to meet nutritional needs. Elder care providers can help with meal preparation so that seniors have easy grab-and-go options when it’s time for a meal or a snack.
Talk to Seniors About What They Want to Eat
Keeping seniors involved in deciding what foods to stock up on and prepare is a really important part of the process. Preferences play a massive role in what seniors are willing to eat, especially when they’re already dealing with low appetites. Mixing healthier versions of what seniors love to eat with nutrient-dense foods that they should eat can give them a better chance at getting what they want and need.
Consider Texture and Sensory Issues
Another factor for aging adults is that they may start to develop texture and sensory issues around food. That might be a new problem for them that they’ve never had to manage before. Sometimes these issues are related to other problems, like difficulty chewing or swallowing. Working with medical providers, dentists, and even occupational or speech therapists can give seniors more ideas that can help.
Get Around-the-Clock Help for Seniors
Sometimes, if seniors have developed some trouble with routines, particularly with their circadian rhythms, they might need help with meals at odd times of the day or night. 24-hour home care providers are there during the day and at night, so they can offer support with all sorts of needs. When seniors need help with mobility around the house, light housekeeping, and figuring out issues related to eating healthfully, home care providers can assist with all of these concerns.
Whether seniors have trouble eating enough because of health issues, reduced activity levels, or trouble with household tasks like cooking, some solutions can help. 24-hour home care providers can support seniors and family caregivers while they figure out what helps most.
If you or an aging loved one are considering 24-Hour Home Care Services in Tustin, CA, please call the caring staff at Canaan Home Care today! 1-844-CANAAN-1 (1-844-226-2261)
Canaan Home Care – A Premier Provider of Senior Home Care in the La Jolla, Del Mar, San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Tustin, and Manhattan Beach areas.
- Helping Seniors Deal with a Lack of Appetite - May 5, 2025
- Why Seniors Should Prioritize Foot Health - April 29, 2025
- Reduce Clutter and Reduce Stress This Spring - April 23, 2025
