How Do You Get Your Mom to Stop Skipping Meals?

As she ages, your mom’s becoming more likely to skip meals. She has coffee at breakfast but isn’t hungry for cereal, toast, or eggs. At lunch, she may snack on something like a yogurt or banana. She never wants to cook a dinner, so she’ll grab a granola bar. The only time she seems to eat a solid meal is when you stop by or you take her to a restaurant. You’re worried about her eating habits.

Elder care in Hampton Bays NY: Senior Nutrition Tips

It’s hard to know exactly how many senior citizens regularly skip meals. A National Council on the Aging did a survey where 14 percent of seniors with financial issues said they skip meals regularly as a way to save money. Whether your mom skips meals to save money or has another reason, it’s important to get her to eat properly. Malnutrition is a risk the elderly face.

Keep Bad Food Choices Out of the House

If convenience dictates what your mom eats, remove the easier, less nutritious foods from her choices. If she loves sugary granola bars, don’t bring them into her house. If she goes for yogurts, buy larger containers of plain yogurt and have her add flavor by using honey, nuts, seeds, and/or fresh fruit.

Have Her Eat Snacks Instead of Full Meals

It’s often recommended that seniors have four or five smaller meals each day. Aging impacts your appetite. If you break up your mom’s meals into smaller meals and get her on a schedule, she might do better.

Look for Medical Causes

Your mom may not be eating because of an underlying health issue. Taste buds change as you age and impact how foods taste. Heartburn, gas, and bloating may also make your mom not feel up to a full meal. Ask her doctor to check into possible causes. Dental issues are also a reason some seniors stop eating. Ill-fitting dentures or cavities are often to blame.

Join Her for a Meal

Many elderly men and women eat better when someone joins them for a meal. If you can’t be there regularly, see if family friends or relatives can eat with her. If that’s not possible, caregivers are a must. Caregivers can help your mom plan a weekly menu. The caregiver can take her to the grocery store, bring in bags, and cook meals.

Learn more about the benefits of caregivers by contacting an elder care agency. The elder care professionals can help you determine what services best match your mom’s needs. Call today.

If you or an aging loved one is considering Elder Care in Hampton Bays, NY, call the caring staff at Artful Home Care today at 631-685-5001.

Sources:

https://www.ncoa.org/economic-security/money-management/debt/senior-debt-facts/