See, Smell, Taste....... Appetite!

This semester was so much more than what I expected from geriatrics.  But one of the biggest normal changes that I have

encountered this semester would be the decrease in appetite.  I had the opportunity to see breakfast and lunch served while

doing my fieldwork.  I saw many of the patients eat a little and then push their plates to the side. I did not know that so

many things affect their appetite such as taste, smell, and medication. I always wandered why my grandmother food

seemed to get more salty as she became older and now I know that as you age your taste decreases by 50 percent. Not only

that but as you age there is a decrease in taste buds which affects sweet, sour, salty, and bitter taste buds. I never thought

that age could cause you to loose sense of taste or smell, but now that I know I can see how an older person would lose

their appetite.  When you first get a plate of food the look and aroma of the food is the first thing that triggers your

appetite.  Then the taste and texture of food makes the meal more enjoyable.  But as you age you lose the ability to

discriminate food and you can’t really enjoy your food.  Many of my clients complained that the food was so bland even

after putting two packs of salt on their food.  There were many who added packs of sugar to their juice and still would state

that it was not sweet enough.  But these are the types of things that cause other issues such as hypertension, malnutrition,

diabetes, and a decrease in food intake.  I take a step back and wander what if that was me, what would I do? I am a very

picky eater so I’m sure my food intake would be at the very minimum.  But if I had someone to take the time to maybe

season my foods by adding flavors that could possibly enhance the taste or change the texture of my food so that it is

pleasing to me.  These are some of the little steps that we must take to ensure that our elderly are getting enough nutrition

and has the appropriate intake.  Food for thought when you have a terrible cold besides the aching and runny nose and

sore throat, how does food feel in your mouth without being able to really taste the flavoring of the food?  Here is a link

featured on msnbc news about appetite loss :

( http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8203257/ns/health-aging/t/appetite-loss-elderly-not-good-sign/ )