What Should I Do If My Elderly Parent Has Stopped Eating
Most people don’t pay much attention to how much their parents are eating until something changes.

Older adults are at a much greater risk of malnutrition than younger people. And noticeable loss of appetite should always be taken seriously.

In this article, you’ll learn some of the most common reasons why your elderly parent has stopped eating, when a loss of appetite becomes a cause for concern and how care homes support residents who are eating less.

What Should I Do if My Elderly Parent Has Stopped Eating?

If your elderly parent has stopped eating properly, the first step is to find out why. A loss of appetite can be caused by many different things, from infections or medications to problems with swallowing or low mood. Speak to your parent’s GP or care team as soon as you notice a change so they can assess the situation and decide what support is needed. Avoid forcing them to eat, as this can make mealtimes more stressful.

Don’t Ignore a Change in Eating Habits In Elderly People

It isn’t too unusual for an older adult to eat less every now and then. Hot weather, feeling unwell or even having a busy day can affect anyone’s appetite.

The concern is when it’s ongoing.

If your parent isn’t finishing meals or eating much smaller portions than they used to, it’s important to find out why they’re no longer hungry – don’t need to wait until they’ve lost a noticeable amount of weight before seeking advice.

According to the NHS, older adults are more vulnerable to malnutrition, which is why a reduced appetite shouldn’t be dismissed as ‘just part of getting older ‘. The sooner the cause is identified, the easier it is to help them with their nutrition and hydration.

Loss of Appetite Can Have Many Different Causes

Sometimes your parent’s lack of appetite is due to physical issues.
An infection, constipation, tooth or gum pain, medication side effects or difficulty swallowing can make eating uncomfortable and it’s natural to avoid food during these times. Even a temporary illness can reduce someone’s appetite for a few days.

Emotional reasons, such as bereavement, loneliness and depression, all affect how someone feels about food, particularly if they previously enjoyed sharing meals with a partner or family member. For people living with dementia, changes in appetite can also happen as the condition progresses, where they forget to eat, struggle to recognise food or lose interest in meals altogether.

Every situation is different, which is why it’s important to understand what’s changed before deciding how best to help.

How Care Homes Support Residents With a Reduced Appetite

Rather than focusing on the amount of food left on a plate, care staff look at the bigger picture to holistically see why your elderly parent has stopped eating. Only once they have properly assessed the situation will the care team decide what support is likely to help.

They’ll usually consider things like:

✓ Has anything changed recently in their life?
✓ Is the resident eating less at every meal or just certain foods?
✓ Are they drinking enough throughout the day?
✓ Have they recently been unwell or started a new medication?
✓ Are they finding it uncomfortable to chew or swallow?
✓ Have they become quieter or more withdrawn?
✓ Is there a food they still enjoy eating?

Helping Residents Enjoy Mealtimes Again

Once the reason behind a loss of appetite has been identified, there are some small changes to help make mealtimes more enjoyable:

Make Favourite Foods Available

Familiar meals can sometimes encourage someone to eat when they’re struggling with their appetite. While nutritional needs must always be considered, including favourite foods where appropriate will make mealtimes feel more appealing. Premium care homes tend to have a bespoke menu that can be adapted to a resident’s preferences.

Think About Portion Size

If you’re just not hungry and someone offers you a plate full of food, it’ll likely make you feel nauseous. So think about this when dishing up for your parent. Smaller portions served more regularly throughout the day might feel much more manageable for them and allow them to eat a bit more than they would at one sitting.

Create a Calm Place to Eat

A quieter dining environment can help residents who become distracted or overwhelmed during busy mealtimes. Feeling relaxed often makes it easier to focus on eating.

Don’t Rush Mealtimes

Some older adults need longer to eat, particularly if they’ve become frail or have mobility problems. So, giving residents enough space to take their time when eating helps take away unnecessary pressure.

Make Food Safe and Comfortable to Eat

If a resident has difficulty chewing or swallowing, meals might need to be adapted following advice from a healthcare professional or speech and language therapist. This could involve changing the texture of food or thickening drinks to make swallowing safer and reduce the risk of choking, while helping residents continue eating meals they enjoy as comfortably as possible.

Keep Mealtimes Social

For many residents, eating with friends is something they look forward to each day. Good conversation and a welcoming atmosphere can make mealtimes feel less like a task they need to do and more like an enjoyable, natural part of the day.

Looking After Your Loved One’s Health

You know your parent better than anyone.

So, if you’ve seen your loved one eating less than usual, mention it to their GP or, if they live in a care home, the care team. Even small observations help explain why their appetite has changed and make it easier to decide what support they need.

Don’t ignore a reduced appetite or put it down to old age. Investigate matters to get to the root cause, giving your loved one the best chance of staying healthy and enjoying food again.

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