6 hints for helping seniors overcome their eating issues

When it comes to food, seniors aren't immune to eating issues. Figuring out why it's happening can sometimes be just a tough. Here are 6 common reasons why mom and dad may not be eating right and how you might help them.

With age can come a whole host of eating issues, especially if they're related to health. That's why it's vital to stay on top of nutrition: it allows aging bodies to recover quicker and ensure medications can take their full effect better. As such, some of the more common reasons why mom or dad may be having eating issues include:

There are some medications that can inhibit a senior's appetite, making them less likely to consume the full nutrition and caloric intake they need each day.

• Some medications can also make food taste or smell unpleasant, making a senior less inclined to eat what's on their plate.
• One solution can be to seek out a different type of medication that achieves the same result, or looking into a medication that counteracts the first medication's unpleasant side effects.

There are plenty of reasons why an appetite can disappear, so start by talking to your senior and their doctor.

• If one reason for this eating issue is loneliness, check out different programs that can boost the senior's social or community involvement.
• Another way that can help is to deliver ready-made meals and enjoy them with that senior in person.

This butterfly-shaped gland can greatly influence eating and weight.

• Hyperthyroidism, or an over-active thyroid, produces too much of the hormones T3 and T4. Two symptoms include weight loss and diarrhea, affecting a senior's ability to retain nutritious content.
• Hypothyroidism is the opposite and indicates an under-active thyroid where it doesn't release enough of T3 and T4. Some of the symptoms of this include slowed-down metabolism, which can lead to weight gain.
• Talking to your senior with their doctor can mean finding the right medication to help combat thyroid issues, which may also alleviate eating issues.

Sometimes eating issues can be as elemental as simply having trouble chewing. As a result, this may cause some seniors to want to avoid it as much as possible.

• The easiest fix is turning to soft foods and minimizing the number of tough, chewy foods to eat.
• If that's not a particularly viable option, then a trip to the doctor or dentist to discuss other options should also be considered.

Part of avoiding eating issues is getting balanced and healthy groceries.

• If your senior has memory problems, they may forget to stock their cupboards with enough food and unintentionally cause themselves eating issues.
• Meals on Wheels is a fantastic program where your senior can have ready-made meals delivered to their door, helping reduce the chances of eating issues developing.

A component of eating, and eating well, is having the physical strength and endurance of going grocery shopping.

• Depending on the store and time of day, seniors can spend quite  a bit of time walking and standing in line, both of which can be taxing on their bones and joints.
• Call local grocery stores to see if they'll deliver, or check out online services that specialize in grocery delivery. The number of companies getting involved in this keeps growing, and it's far likelier than not you can see that your senior gets their weekly groceries dropped off on their doorstep.

Eating issues shouldn't have to take over a senior's life, especially if the source of the problem can be pinpointed. Spend a bit of time with that person to see if you can discover the root of the issue. Get other members of his or her family involved, too. And remember it's always essential to involve the senior's family physician to ensure all bases are covered.