Supporting Seniors: Practical Advice for Assisting an Elderly Loved One Who Forgets to Eat

As our loved ones age, a common concern families often notice is a change in appetite. An occasional loss of appetite is normal in older age. However, a change in eating habits can also be caused by dental problems or gastrointestinal changes. Older adults can experience a shift in their taste buds and olfactory senses, causing food to smell and taste less appealing. Cognitive decline, chronic health conditions, and mood disorders, such as depression, also play a role in the eating habits of older adults.

If you’ve noticed that your aging loved one’s appetite has declined recently, or they seem to forget to eat, the first step is to have a conversation with their doctor. Together with your doctor’s recommendations and the practical advice below, you can help your elderly loved one who forgets to eat.

Focus on Nutrition

When your elderly loved one forgets to eat, every bite they take matters. Start by focusing on nutrition. Encourage your loved one to eat nutrient-dense foods. Offer smaller portions more frequently throughout the day. One effective way to help them get a lot of nutrition is to prepare nutrient-packed smoothies. Include their favorite flavors to make the smoothie more appealing. Prioritize healthy fats and protein and reduce sugary foods. Places like Festival Foods or Woodman’s Market offer a variety of locally sourced fresh produce and foods.

Prepare Ready-to-Eat Meals

Another practical tip is to consider their situation. Seniors with memory loss or chronic health conditions may find cooking overwhelming. Families can help their aging loved ones feel less overwhelmed in the kitchen by preparing meals in advance that they can reheat later. Work with your aging loved one to create an appealing menu. Then, work alongside them to prepare the meals, ensuring that you clearly label them and include reheating instructions. To help save time, use local delivery services, such as Instacart, to make grocery shopping more convenient.

Establish Set Meal Times

Some seniors who forget to eat benefit from a consistent meal schedule. Ensuring your loved one eats at similar time intervals can help their bodies stimulate hunger signals. Set meal times also help to anchor their day, which is especially important for seniors with memory loss. Consider your loved one’s routine and create a schedule that includes mealtimes. Display the schedule in their kitchen to help remind them to eat. Meal delivery services can be another helpful way to remind your loved one to eat. Check out local resources on senior nutrition programs and meal services at the Brown County Aging and Disability Resource Center.

Eat Together

Another barrier to eating is loneliness. Some seniors forget to eat because they feel lonely or they simply don’t want to eat alone. If your loved one forgets to eat because of loneliness, find creative ways to solve this problem. Schedule a weekly family dinner and include your aging loved one. Turn regular visits into opportunities to sneak in nutrition by serving fresh fruit or a healthy snack as you spend time together. Encourage your loved one to invite friends over for a meal or participate in the community dining program sponsored by the Aging & Disability Resource Center of Brown County.

Visiting Angels Green Bay understands the stress and challenges of caring for an aging loved one. It can be stressful when a person's loved one forgets to eat, which can add to their anxiety and worry. We’re here to help. We provide non-medical at-home care customized to meet your loved one’s needs and preferences. Our compassionate caregivers can help your loved one who forgets to eat in many ways. From assistance with meal planning and preparation to sharing a meal with them to help alleviate loneliness, our dedicated caregivers can encourage nutrition and gently remind your loved one to eat. Getting started is easy. Simply contact us by calling 920-366-5402 to learn more about our exceptional at-home care services.