These days most of us are becoming increasingly conscious that the older generations often suffer from eating disorders called anorexia. This anorexia that happens in the elderly is different from anorexia nervosa as the person does not reduce their food intake to lose weight or because of a deformation of body image.
There are many reasons why an older person may not be eating adequately and these can include a lack of money to buy food, being physically unable to go out and buy food or carry it home, be unable to prepare a meal. Thus they do not eat appropriate nutritious meals, or because they lack the motivation because of a delicate emotional condition. Whatever be the reason, it is important that the attention and awareness is increased so that we can make sure we check the signs of an older person who is not eating properly and find out the reason.
Loss of motivation may not be the most evident cause of not eating well, but losing the motivation to look after even the utmost needs can play a big role in this matter. Whether it is sadness, the loss of a loved one or a simple lack of wanting to look after essential needs it can direct people to ignore their nutrition. Some people do not deal with elders very well and this may be hampered further if physical health is weakening. There is a chance that depression can build up causing a person to not feel the need or motivation to eat at all.
It is no secret that those living merely on a state pension find themselves on hard times every now and then, particularly during the winter months when it is harder to stay warm, mainly when fuel costs are so high. Due to this many people find themselves having to make the decision of whether to spend their money on heating their home and being warm or eating healthy and wholesome meals. Often the decision is to warm their home a little and eat less leading to a state of anorexia as they are not eating enough to support their body.
As we get older our body slows down and we lose muscle mass and bone density; this makes physical activity difficult. This is a very good instance of how easy it may be for an older person to carry on with shopping. Not only will it be very hard to go to the shops, but they are then faced with carrying a heavy basket or pushing a trolley around the shop, standing in a queue for a long time and then having to pack the bags and carry it home. They may want to eat well but the act of going shopping becomes a nightmare.
It is not only doing the shopping that may be restrictive as cooking a meal might not be very attainable either. The increasing costs of power, whether it is electric or gas can mean that those with very low earnings do not have enough supply to heat their home or cook a meal. There are many grounds why older people may find themselves with an unintentional eating disorder, but with help and provisions, this issue can avoidable in many situations.
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