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Four Reasons Why Elderly People Lose Interest in Food

Aging influences not only the reflection in the mirror, but also the mind and body. As a person ages, she'll also notice a waning memory and a steady loss in muscle mass, according to the Mayo Clinic. As aging progresses, physical changes sometimes influence the quality of life in the elderly. One consequence of these changes is a loss of interest in food.

  1. Dental Problems

    • For some elderly people, lack of interest in food is attributed to pain. Eating becomes uncomfortable because of dry mouth, mouth sores or ill-fitting dentures, according to the American Geriatrics Society Foundation for Health Aging (FHA). Problems chewing and swallowing foods are also a culprit. The Family Caregiver's Alliance (FCA) recommends serving soft and bite-size pieces of food to elderly people to make eating more comfortable.

    Depression

    • Lack of appetite is one of the more common signs of depression. According to the Mayo Clinic, loneliness and failing health contribute to depression and lowered food interest. Other symptoms of depression, according to the FHA, include loss of interest in daily activities, feelings of sadness and difficulty making decisions. Sometimes feelings of depression accompany dementia.

    Dementia

    • People with dementia sometimes simply forget to drink and eat food, according to the FCA. Paranoia, another symptom of dementia, also encourages an elderly person to lose interest in food. According to the FHA, a person with paranoia sometimes starts to believe his food is poisoned or that he's unable to afford the food.

    Medication

    • Sometimes a person's medication is to blame for loss of appetite. Digoxin, for example, causes appetite loss. Some medications alter the taste of food, making food unpalatable, according to the FHA. Dry mouth is another symptom of many medications. This further contributes to appetite loss. Medications also hurt the elderly financially, leaving them unable to afford the foods they desire.

    Prevention and Solution

    • Appetite loss leads to malnutrition. According to the Mayo Clinic, in seniors, malnutrition contributes to fatigue, anemia, muscle weakness and weakened immunity. Caregivers are to look for telltale signs of malnutrition such as wounds, weight loss and bruising. To encourage interest in food, the Mayo Clinic recommends consulting a dentist about mouth pain, and consulting a physician about potential nutrition deficiencies. Programs such as Meals on Wheels also ensure seniors receive prepared meals five times a week, plus some companionship.

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