Unfortunately, as people get older, they become more at risk for malnutrition. Seniors, who do not get the amount of nutrients that their body needs, are at risk for several things, many of which are life-threatening. Not enough water in seniors can cause loss of bodily functions, a large reduction in joint lubrication, and the reduction of blood that pumps to the heart. Lack of food can also cause disease complications, weight and muscle loss, slower wound healing, weaker immune system, and the list goes on. One big question is why is malnutrition so prevalent in seniors? Some of these reasons will be discussed here.
Reasons for Malnutrition in Seniors
Weakened Sense Of Taste And Smell
One reason why a lot of seniors have a problem with malnutrition is that they have a much weaker sense of taste and smell than they used to. This makes food much less appealing to them. They know they won't enjoy eating food as much as they have in the past, and they likely feel like it is something that they must do out of necessity, rather than something they are doing because they enjoy it.
Slower Digestion
Another reason why seniors may suffer from malnutrition is that their digestive system works a lot slower than it used to. Their metabolism takes longer to metabolize the food that they eat, partly because they aren't moving nearly as much. This slower speed means that they don't get hungry nearly as much as they used to and can lead them to eat much less often.
Chewing And Swallowing Difficulties
If a senior has a hard time chewing or swallowing, this will make it so much harder for them to get the nutrients that their body needs. They may try to rely on nutrient shakes and other items that are easy to take in, but these often don't provide the ideal range of nutrients that most elderly individuals need. They may even avoid eating altogether if they feel they can't swallow safely.
Chronic Disease
Chronic disease can affect appetite for a variety of reasons. The disease itself may cause the seniors to feel ill, and they lose the desire to eat. They may also take medications to treat the disease that causes them to lose their appetite. Some diseases, such as dementia, may cause them to forget to eat because they can't remember the last time they ate.
Change In Dietary Needs
When the dietary needs of a senior change, this can often lead to malnutrition because the senior may not want to eat the foods that they should be eating. Instead, they will choose to avoid food altogether because they do not want to eat the foods that are being given to them, or they will not prepare these foods for themselves.
Association Of Meals With Socializing
If a senior has always associated their meals with social situations, then being alone may cause malnutrition. They may no longer have any desire to eat meals because they are lonely and eating it isn't something that allows them to be social and enjoy the company of others.
Physical Limitations
Lastly, physical limitations can make it hard for someone to get the food that they need. They may not be able to go out to the store to get the groceries that they need, so they have no food to eat. They also may have a hard time preparing food, even if someone buys it for them, because they can't get around their kitchen like they need to. This can make it so that the senior is very limited in what they are able to eat and are left to rely on others for help.
Malnutrition is definitely something that you want to avoid in seniors as much as possible. Taking the time to become informed and then implementing what you learn to help seniors with malnutrition will make a big difference in their lives.
Senior Helpers have caregivers that can meal plan, shop, prepare and join seniors for their meals to assure good quality, quantity, and socialization.