Eating Is Just Too Hard

Picture it. It's a beautiful Sunday afternoon and your spouse has just made a meal fit for a king. You sit down and dig in to the crispy fried chicken, heaping mashed potatoes and gravy, flaky rolls and tender green beans. You have no problem eating meals like this. You're in your mid-40s, though. Your great aunt, on the other hand, isn't so lucky. In her late 80s, she has difficulty preparing meals, much less eating them, and has lost a great deal of weight in recent years as a result. Sadly, she is not alone.

Thousands of seniors experience difficulties in eating for a number of reasons. Some of these include: • Health issues. Many seniors have health problems that make eating difficult. Those who have lost teeth or have poorly fitting dentures may have a hard time chewing, while those with arthritis may have a hard time using utensils and those with dementia may forget to eat. To combat the problem, seniors may snack, often on unhealthy foods, or stop eating altogether. Prescription medication may also lead to a loss of appetite. • Isolation. Many seniors who live alone find it a waste of time to fix a meal for one and abhor eating by themselves. They choose to snack instead, again often on unhealthy foods, and lose interest in eating over time. • Lack or loss of skill. Some seniors don't know how to cook, while others no longer have the strength to cook. Chopping food, picking up heavy saucepans and skillets, and washing dishes are just too much for them, so they snack instead, usually on unhealthy foods. • Little money. Many seniors are on a fixed income, and in order to pay their bills and buy their medication, they have to skimp on food. Instead of a cart full of meat, produce, bread and dairy products, they may have to settle for a basket of cheap food. Again, snacking on whatever food they have in their cabinets is the alternative. • Special needs. Many seniors have chronic medical problems that require a specific diet. Cooking for such a diet often requires extra effort and special ingredients. Seniors may not have the energy or the money for that and choose to snack instead, often on unhealthy foods.

No matter what the reason, eating difficulties among seniors leads to poor nutrition. Seniors who are undernourished tend to get ill easily and take longer to recover. They may also suffer a loss in weight, strength and overall ability. All of this can lead to a poorer quality of life.

Fortunately, help is available for seniors who find eating difficult. Medical treatment, meal programs and financial assistance can absolve many of the problems.

If a senior in your life is experiencing difficulties in eating, don't hesitate to get them help. Speak to their doctor and find out what resources are available in your community. Their life could depend upon it!