Senior-friendly independent living communities often struggle with how to help elderly residents who don’t want to eat. In many cases, this is due to a lack of appetite that can stem from a number of causes, including depression or illness. The good news is that there are ways senior living communities in Lumberton, NC, can encourage these residents to eat! Here’s what you need to know:
Breakfast In Bed
If an elderly person is too frail to get out of bed, breakfast in bed is a great way to encourage them to eat. The caregiver can bring a bowl of cereal or a cup of coffee to the resident’s room and should also encourage them to drink water throughout the day. This can also be done for lunch and dinner if they can eat more than just dry foodstuffs.
Emphasize Social Interaction (And Paired Eating)
Social interaction is important and can help you feel more relaxed. It’s better to eat with others than alone. If you’re eating by yourself, it can be hard to relax and enjoy your meal. There has been researching that shows that eating alone increases stress levels, which affects appetite.
If you want to encourage your elders or family members with low appetites to eat more, think about how they like to socialize. Do they prefer one-on-one conversations or group activities? What types of activities do they enjoy most? Would dining out be more appealing than cooking a meal at home? If so, have them join their local center for lunch once per week or invite friends over for dinner every other week (or whatever schedule works best for them).
Pay Attention To The Little Details
Small details can make or break your meal time. Paying attention to the little details will help you create an environment conducive to your elderly loved one’s appetite and overall wellness.
For example, consider using a soup mug instead if you’re serving soup in a bowl with a spoon. The smaller container will be easier for them to hold while they eat, and plunging their nose into the opening of such a cup is likely something they enjoy doing as well—it brings back memories of childhood!
This may seem like no big deal, but small things like this go a long way to improve health outcomes for older adults suffering from dementia or other conditions affecting their ability to eat independently.
Conclusion
The goal of any senior-friendly independent living community should be to provide quality care for its residents, and that includes helping them eat. If you or a loved one is struggling with appetite loss, consult with your doctor and try these tips. The more you know about how to improve eating habits, the more likely it will be that your loved one will get all of the nutrients they need out of their meals!
