One of our client couples asked us to help them choose and move into a seniors’ residence because the husband had advanced Parkinson’s disease, and it was becoming too difficult for his wife to provide the level of support he needed at home.
Once they had settled in, we checked in to see how they were both doing. Her response highlighted a benefit of their move that they hadn’t necessarily anticipated:
“I know we moved here to have additional support with my husband’s care, but what I have really noticed is how much more energy we have and how much better we both feel now that we are eating well. I didn’t realize how poor our diet had become at home. Now, with three balanced meals a day and healthy snacks, we are both feeling so much more vital, stronger and resilient.”
It’s easy for nutrition to gradually become less of a priority, particularly when health challenges, caregiving responsibilities, fatigue or changes in appetite make shopping and preparing meals more difficult.
Yet good nutrition plays an important role in maintaining strength, brain function, energy and overall well-being as we age.
Why Good Nutrition Matters
Poor nutrition in older adults can contribute to:
- Weight loss and frailty
- An increased risk of falls and fractures
- A weakened immune system
- Worsening cognitive and behavioural symptoms
- A greater risk of hospitalization and other health complications
Why Does Appetite Often Change With Age?
A reduced appetite is common among older adults and can have many causes, including:
- Changes in the senses of taste and smell
- Changes in digestion and the body’s hunger and fullness signals
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing (dysphagia)
- Medication side effects
- Low energy or fatigue
Older adults experiencing cognitive changes may face additional challenges around eating, such as:
- Difficulty recognizing food or knowing how to use utensils
- Sensory overload or distraction during meals
- Cognitive or emotional changes, including depression or apathy
Recognizing why someone is eating less is an important first step. Sometimes a few simple changes can make meals more enjoyable and help improve nutritional intake.
Strategies to Encourage Better Nutrition
Make food appealing. Enhance flavours and vary textures and colours to make meals more inviting.
Think small but nutrient-dense. Large meals can feel overwhelming. Smaller meals and snacks packed with protein, healthy fats, fiber and other nutrients may be easier to manage.
Make meals social. Eating with friends, family or others in a community setting can make mealtimes more enjoyable and encourage better intake.
Keep a consistent routine. Regular mealtimes can help establish predictable eating patterns.
Add some movement. When appropriate for the individual, light physical activity before a meal may help stimulate appetite.
Additional Tips for Older Adults With Cognitive Changes
For someone experiencing dementia or other cognitive changes, the environment and presentation of food can make a significant difference:
- Create calm, quiet mealtimes with minimal distractions.
- Use contrasting colours between the food and the plate to make food easier to see.
- Offer one food at a time if a full plate feels overwhelming.
- Serve finger foods or softer, easy-to-chew options when appropriate.
- Engage the senses with warm, colourful and aromatic foods.
- Encourage eating gently without pressuring or forcing.
- Try smaller, more frequent meals and snacks throughout the day.
Nutrition Is About More Than Food
Our clients’ experience is an important reminder that eating well can sometimes become more difficult without us even realizing it.
For older adults—particularly those managing chronic illness, cognitive changes or the demands of caregiving—regular, nutritious meals can have a meaningful impact on energy, strength and quality of life.
Sometimes the solution is changing what is on the plate. Other times, it may mean adding meal support, eating with others, simplifying food preparation or moving to a setting where nutritious meals are readily available.
Whatever the solution looks like, nutrition deserves to be part of the conversation when planning for healthy ageing.
If you are concerned about significant weight loss, difficulty swallowing, persistent loss of appetite or other changes in eating habits, speak with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian to help identify the cause and determine the most appropriate support.
