Appetite and nutritional needs both change with age, and unintended weight loss is one of the most under-recognized warning signs in older adults.
Why nutrition needs change
Reduced appetite, changes in taste and smell, dental issues, and difficulty cooking for one can all lead to inadequate nutrition, even when someone seems otherwise fine. Protein and hydration needs often go unmet first.
Source: National Institute on Aging, Healthy Eating for Older Adults.
Warning signs worth watching for
Unintentional weight loss, skipping meals, an empty refrigerator, or repeated comments about food "not tasting right" anymore are all worth a conversation — and sometimes a doctor's visit to rule out a medical cause.
Practical ways to help
Smaller, more frequent meals are often easier than three large ones. Meal delivery programs (like Meals on Wheels) and in-home meal preparation support both help when cooking has become difficult or isolating.
Eating with a chronic condition
Diabetes, heart failure, and kidney conditions each come with specific dietary considerations — see our Diabetes Care and Heart Failure guides for condition-specific guidance.