Can we talk?
But first, sit down, or don’t. Totally your call.
Do you have a pen? Never mind, it’s not like you’re about to sign a treaty.
It’s just us, talking about the Grand Appetite Conspiracy (Note to self: Could this actually be a thing?).
Here it comes: Seniors don’t just naturally lose their appetite.
Image by Manfred Richter from Pixabay
Whaaaat?! Right? Unbelievable! Let it marinate for a moment.
Picture Grandma Edna, always munching on her homemade sugar cookies, even during the most nail-biting rounds of Bingo.
But lately, her favorite cookies have lost their charm.
We can’t help but wonder, what the devil is going on with Grandma Edna?
10 reasons seniors losing appetite
1. Becoming an Armchair Olympian: Edna used to chase you around the yard, but age has slowed her down.
Less movement, less calories burned, less hunger. It’s a thing. (Is it fair? Absolutely not! But it’s a thing.)
2. The Crafty Impersonator – Dehydration: Edna loved her sweet tea, but nowadays, she sometimes forgets to hydrate.
Dehydration often masks itself as a lack of hunger. It’s like a villain in a poorly written-spy movie.
3. The Chaos of No Routine: Back in the day, Edna had her meal timings down to a science.
Now, her routine is more like abstract art. You know, the kind where you tilt your head and go, “Hmm, I guess that’s a thing?”
4. The Struggle to Prepare Meals: Not everyone is a whiz in the kitchen.
Edna once burned water. Yes, it sounds impossible, but trust me, it happened.
5. The Disappearance of Taste: Remember when Edna used to savor her sugar cookies?
Now, they might as well taste like cardboard to her. (Note to self: Taste buds, why do you betray us?)
6. Mealtime’s Mount Everest – The Trials of Chewing and Swallowing: Edna has a gold tooth, a badge of honor from her wilder days.
But with age, it’s becoming more of a hindrance than a party trick.
7. Overly Sensitive Smells: Smells she used to love, like her grandson’s cheap cologne, now make her stomach churn.
It’s not you, dear. It’s her nose.
8. The Heavy Load of Depression or Loneliness: Remember Grandpa Joe? Of course, you do. Since he’s been gone, Edna’s spirit has taken a hit.
Sadness can do a number on your hunger.
9. Losing the War of Control: Edna likes her independence, thank you very much.
But, with age, she’s been losing control over many things, enough to kill anyone’s appetite.
10. When Mealtimes Become Unpleasant: Edna misses those loud family dinners. Now, meals are quiet, a stark reminder of emptiness.
Image by Engin Akyurt from Pixabay
(Above is one of Edna’s uneaten cookies.)
Phew! That was intense, wasn’t it?
Let me tell you, dear reader, there’s no Grand Senior Appetite Conspiracy (confirmed!). It’s just life, being life, with its twists and turns. All we can do is stand by our loved ones, like Edna, and help where we can.
Sure, you could start cooking her meals or keep reminding her to drink water.
But remember, you can’t force it. Change takes time and sometimes, it never comes. Because, you know, life again.
So, what’s the takeaway? Well, it’s the same as it has always been.
We’re in this together, the laughter, the tears, the sugar cookies, and the forgotten glasses of water.
Let’s make the most of it, shall we?
