6 Ways to Get Seniors with No Appetite to Eat

One of the most common and worrisome challenges facing caregivers is getting their older person to regularly consume solid meals. With wholesome nutrition an essential part of keeping seniors strong and healthy, what is a caregiver to do when their loved one starts refusing to eat?

The first steps are to try making their favorite meals and offering gentle encouragement. Sometimes this can be enough to make a difference. Also, it’s crucial to rule out any serious health issues. Check with their doctors to make sure they don’t have any health conditions you haven’t been made aware of. Are there potential side effects to some of the medications they’re on? Could they have dental problems that might make eating a less attractive task?

If, after pursuing these tips, they still lack any interest in food, it’s important to quickly move on to other strategies, both to preserve their health and to protect your peace of mind. Here are six practical and compassionate tactics that have a good track record of turning mealtime back into a positive experience for both of you:

1. Set a regular meal and snack schedule. By serving up food at roughly the same time every day, you’re encouraging their bodies to be ready to eat at those times. It’s important to realize that an older adult’s ability to feel hunger declines with age, so don’t wait for them to express that they’re hungry before giving them a meal. Go by the clock instead.
2. Serve smaller portions, more often. Many seniors get overwhelmed if they see a big plate of food. Their bodies simply don’t need that many calories at this point in their lives. Instead, consider switching to a daily routine of five small meals instead of three larger ones. (You can save time by still preparing food in larger batches; just store any leftovers in smaller containers and refrigerate or freeze, so it’s easy to heat and serve later.) Add high-nutrient calories to these smaller servings by including avocado; olive oil; peanut (or other nut) butter; soft cheeses (like ricotta); and finely chopped meat, cheese, or egg.
3. Reduce the need for utensils. It can be quite difficult for many older adults to use a spoon, fork, or knife. Their frustration over not being able to do this simple task can spill over into reluctance to eat. To help in the efficiency department, try using adaptive utensils, or serving foods that can be eaten without utensils. Examples include meatballs; fish sticks; chicken strips/nuggets; or steamed or raw veggies, like carrots, broccoli, or cucumber pieces.
4. Provide plenty of easy-to-eat snacks. For those who prefer grazing throughout the day rather than eating full meals all at once, make sure to have a variety of nutritious and delicious snacks on hand. Suggestions include: cheese and crackers, full-fat yogurt or cottage cheese, peanut butter and crackers, cheese sticks or string cheese, diced fruit, or whole/chocolate milk.
5. Make smoothies or milkshakes. Some seniors find chewing to be painful, tiring, or difficult. In these instances, serving softer or even liquid food will likely lead to more success. (Bear in mind that this is not a safe solution for those with dysphagia, or issues with swallowing.) Possibilities include hot cocoa; full-fat milk; milkshakes (at least they’d be getting protein and calcium!); healthy smoothies (bananas, fruit, full-fat yogurt, spinach, carrots); and nutritious soups (enhanced with pureed meats and veggies, olive oil, and cream).
6. Keep track of what works. Tracking your experiments in the food department will allow you to see what’s been working, and avoid what didn’t in the future. Take notes about what foods your older adult enjoys or dislikes, and any foods that might be difficult to eat or digest. You can also write down what times of day their appetite is strongest, or when they’re most willing to eat.

Remember that your goal in these efforts isn’t to win a battle over every meal, but rather to develop a healthier association with food in the mind of your senior. Every small bite is a victory, and each shared meal at the table is a success.

Interestingly, lack of appetite among seniors usually has more to do with complex age-related changes than it does stubbornness. Rather than letting frustration get the better of you, keep in mind that their bodies are changing as they get older, in ways they don’t always realize or understand.

As you experiment with the above strategies, be patient and creative, and do your best not to get discouraged. By focusing on connection, you can transform mealtime from a time of stress into an opportunity for comfort, ensuring they get the vital nutrition they need.