Weight loss can result from a variety of health concerns and lead to future complications for your elderly loved one, making it important to understand its source and how to treat it. To help you better understand elderly weight loss, here are a few of the common causes.
Oral Health Issues
Underlying oral health problems, such as cavities, poorly fitting dentures, and gingivitis, may lead to weight loss. The unnecessary pain and swelling resulting from these issues is likely to diminish your loved one’s appetite. Schedule a dental checkup so a qualified dental practitioner can identify and treat the cause of your loved one’s pain.
If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a trusted provider of senior care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.
Difficulty Swallowing
Many times, weight loss in elderly people can be attributed to problems with swallowing that make it difficult to consume solid foods. Swallowing difficulties may stem from underlying conditions such as muscular and neurodegenerative disorders that require treatment.
Living with serious health conditions can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional live-in care. Annapolis seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more.
Side Effects of Medications
The side effects of a number of medications, including those used to treat diabetes and high cholesterol, often lead to decreased appetite, which ultimately results in weight loss. If your loved one recently started a medication and has lost a significant amount of weight over a short time, schedule a visit with his or her physician to discuss the possibility of a connection between the two.
Nutritional Disorders
Nutritional absorption disorders compromise the ability to absorb nutrients from food, thereby causing weight loss. If your loved one eats regular well-balanced meals and continues to lose weight, investigating the cause with a medical professional who specializes in nutritional disorders may be a good idea.
If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Annapolis families can trust. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia. Call one of our Care Managers today to learn about our customized in-home care plans.
