What other issues could affect eating in older people?
Physical or emotional causes may be behind the loss of appetite. Badly fitting dentures can make it painful and difficult to eat. Loss of the sense of smell or taste makes food unattractive. An unrecognised infection in the urinary tract can make people feel too ill to want to eat. Bowel problems such as severe constipation cause pain and make people unwilling to eat. Older people may fail to recognise when they are thirsty and any problems with mobility can stop them getting themselves a drink. Dehydration is a common risk in older people and a dry mouth makes it hard to chew or swallow. Ideally water or a drink would always be served with their meals. Recent life events such as bereavement, or an unwanted move to a new place to live, or loss of contact with friends can diminish appetite due to grief. Many people lose interest in food when they no longer have someone with whom to share their meals.Digesting solid food takes a lot of energy, so the act of eating a meal can be tiring to
