Gail Gilman, Family Life Consultant, M.Ed., C.F.C.S. and Professor
Emeritus, University of Minnesota
Suppose the person you are caring for has not been eating well for some time
now. This is a great concern as adequate nutrition is essential for
maintaining optimal health and well-being. Eating problems are common and
can be the result of many factors.
First, consider your loved one’s medical conditions. Has there been a new
diagnosis or a change with an existing one? Has there been a medication
change? A side effect of some medications can be a change in appetite or
taste sensations. Aging itself can result in decreased sensitivity to
tastes. Could there be an underlying problem with the mouth, tongue, teeth,
or dentures? Sometimes a loss of weight can result in dentures not fitting
properly, causing pain with eating. Is there a problem with swallowing?
Often, an evaluation by a Speech Language Pathologist is needed to identify
the problem and make appropriate recommendations. Any of the above problems
will need to be discussed with a doctor.
Next, consider the psychological implications of not eating. Poor eating
can be the result of depression. A change in diet due to becoming a new
diabetic or having to have food pureed due to a swallow problem can cause a
lack of enjoyment that was once associated with eating. Also, eating may be
one of the few things that your loved one has control over. He may be
choosing not to eat, simply because he can. Giving him more control and
choices in other areas of his life may help to improve eating habits. If
you suspect depression as a possible cause of eating difficulties, discuss
it with your doctor, as there are many effective treatments available.
Finally, is your loved one having difficulty with the physical act of
feeding himself? Weakness, decreased range of motion, impaired
coordination, low vision, or tremors can impair their ability to feed
themselves and result in frustration and embarrassment. There are many
simple solutions for these issues. Someone having difficulty grasping a
utensil may benefit from built-up handles.
Tremors can be lessened by adding weight to utensils or the person’s wrist,
resulting in fewer spills. Handled cups with lids and spouts are also
effective in lessening spills. For someone with worsening vision,
increasing the contrast between the plate, food and table may allow them to
see the contents of their meal a little easier.
Providing finger foods may also help to increase independence for someone
with visual or coordination impairments. A review and recommendations from
Occupational Therapy may be needed to improve arm and hand strength, range
of motion, and coordination if difficulties persist.
Addressing eating difficulties as soon as they arise can prevent more
serious complications in the future.
Watch for more Family Living Focus information from Gail Gilman, Family Life
Consultant, M.Ed., C.F.C.S. and Professor Emeritus – University of Minnesota
in next week’s paper.