Home » Daily Care » Nutrition & Exercise » Questions » My mother is 74 and does not want to eat.…
Print
Email
My mother is 74 and does not want to eat. She is loosing a lot of weight and says that everything tastes bad. Is there something I can do to see if she is loosing her sense of taste or smell?
Lynn Harrelson, Oct 19, 2009
Lynn Harrelson is a pharmacist who specializes in medication and prescription management for seniors. She provides health care services and information that help individuals remain independent in their homes, retirement and assisted living facilities.
Loss of taste and smell can occur at any age and there can be many reasons. If the loss is a rapid onset, you may want to think about any mediations that may have been recently started. Certain medications, such as some antibiotics, high blood pressure medications and chemotherapy can cause a loss of taste. Antibiotics often change the natural flora of the mouth and GI tract. A good replacement source of lactobacillus (natural non-sweetened yogurt) may help. Also, some patients with certain medical conditions (Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease), may develop loss of taste. I would suggest that you speak with your pharmacist and ask that they review your mother’s medications as a possible source for her loss of taste. I would also discuss the possibility of sjogrens syndrome with a good ear, throat and nose specialist.
(2)
Report this Post
lovingdaughter
Give a Hug
Oct 13, 2009
Unfortunately the taste buds seem to go, but I have been told that the sweet taste buds are more acute even when they get old. I make mom home-made applesauce every year and she eats every drop. Also, milkshakes with protein powder and a little vanilla ice cream worked really well with my dad.Sometimes, medicines affect the taste buds. Contact your DR. and see if any of her meds might be the culprit.
Helpful Answer (1)
Malibu
Oct 14, 2009
If she's not hungry like my mother was a times...we would give her "Ensure". It has all the vitamins, etc. She could live for years just with the Ensure.
mannbs
My patient loves chocolate. Some of the things she picks out at the store herself are toaster pastries, chips ahoy, ice cream, chocolate covered raisins and of course I get her the double chocolate ensure. Hope this helps.
I forgot about Ensure. My dad lived on that and Carnation instant breakfast. We added ice cream!
Helpful Answer (0)
PCVS
My Mom does not sweet things so she loathes ensure and those sorts of things. She does however enjoy yoghurt in the summer and soups all year round.
slawrence
Oct 15, 2009
Thank you very much, I will try the milkshake with some protein powder. I will let you know how it goes.
Thanks again!!
195Austin
Oct 19, 2009
My Mom is not interested in eating when alone and since she lives alone it is a problem if it continues she will not be able to live alone which we have not said that to her yet-she gets upset so easily she is almost 91.
SecretSister
My mom lost about 65% of her body weight some time back. She was on a lot of pain medications, and always going to the doctor. Then she had many lab tests. Come to find out, she had breast cancer, and underwent treatment. Now, after weaning her off all narcotics, and adding Ensure and Carnation Instant Breakfast to her diet, she is finally gaining weight again. She skips meals, sometimes into the afternoons, which is a life long pattern for her, so she will never have great nutrition, no matter how we try to encourage her, but at least she's not skin and bones anymore. She did complain of food not tasting good while she was undergoing Chemo, but that's over now. She'll probably never regain totally, but she was getting quite heavy, so perhaps that's a bonus. Great suggestions above. Hope something helps the originator of this thread, slawrence, with her mother.
Please stay on topic or ask a new question.
Have a question? Just need to vent? Find answers and support from the real experts - other caregivers!
My mom and I have a joint cd account and a joint checking account. Am I entitled to keep my share? Answered 1 min ago by bandit8it
Mother anti-HIPPA'd me. Comment 5 mins ago by ladee
Can my mother whose on Medicaid now be forced to share a room with a smoker? Answered 6 mins ago by willkay2
What do we do with the money from the sale of the home, how can we protect it? Answered 10 mins ago by 195Austin
The Caregiver....How are YOU doing today? Comment 25 mins ago by ladee
More From The Community »
Sign up for our newsletter and receive practical tips and support for caregivers
Like AgingCare.com on Facebook
To use this feature, you must be a member.
Just what a caregiver needs to make life a little easier. Join AgingCare.com for FREE!
Access the Caregiver Forum
Answers and support from caregivers and elder care experts.
Receive Helpful Caregiving Information
Articles on providing care, senior health, financial and legal matters, and more.
Create Your Personal Account
Customize your experience to see what is important to you and your unique caregiving situation.
Already a Member?
Login to your account
Screen name or email address:
Password: