Unintentional weight loss in seniors can be dangerous when left untreated, and it often results in secondary health issues, such as depression, lethargy, heart palpitations, and nutritional deficiencies. Keeping their aging loved ones at a healthy weight is a difficult task for many caregivers, but there are a few steps you can take to make sure your loved one is consuming enough calories. The following tips can help you address involuntary weight loss and boost your loved one’s overall health.
Start with Supplements & Shakes
Until you can come up with a long-term solution, you need to make sure your loved one is getting enough vitamins and minerals. A good way to temporarily address unintentional weight loss is to supplement regular meals with a good multivitamin and high-calorie shakes. Most of your loved one’s nutrients should come from whole foods, but these supplemental products can help until you get to the root of the issue.
Change Up Colors & Flavors
If your loved one has been on a strict diet for the last few months, you might want to try out a few new dishes. In addition to experimenting with new flavor profiles, you can also try to change the look of the food. Different mental health disorders can result in picky eating habits, and brightening the dish could pique your loved one’s interest.
Encourage Exercising More Often
Trying to exercise while losing weight is incredibly difficult, but your loved one might not be eating because his or her body isn’t being challenged. Start off with moderate activities, such as walking around the house for a few minutes. After a few days, these activities might stimulate your loved one’s metabolism and trigger his or her hunger.
Home care service agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. Our caregivers encourage seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy.
Stock the Refrigerator with Nutritious Snacks
As people grow older, certain physical limitations can make it difficult to prepare meals and snacks. Your loved one might not be eating enough food because he or she is too embarrassed to ask for help. Instead of forcing your loved one to ask for food, try to stock the refrigerator with healthy meals and snacks to see if he or she eventually gains weight. Options such as sliced vegetables and fresh fruit make perfect midday snacks.
Older adults who have difficulty with meal prep are also likely to be underweight. If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of Home Care Milwaukee families can trust. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia.
Speak with a Doctor
Sudden weight loss is often caused by serious medical issues. Schedule an appointment with a doctor if your loved one continues to lose weight for more than a few weeks in a row. Many medications can also impact appetite and the ability to eat. During your appointment with the doctor, bring a complete list of all the medications your loved one is taking.
If your senior loved one needs hourly or live-in care, Milwaukee Assisting Hands Home Care can help. Our caregivers can assist with exercise and mobility, prepare nutritious meals, provide timely medication reminders, and help with a wide array of other important daily tasks. To learn about our high-quality in-home care services, give us a call today.
