In this article

Factors that affect nutrition Loss of taste Loss of interest in food

Poor appetite Difficulty in chewing Constipation

Older people needing extra care Swallowing difficulties Care homes

• Keep your teeth healthy and/or make sure your dentures fit properly
• A sore mouth or lack of saliva also makes chewing difficult - if this is the case, check with your GP

Constipation can lead to poor eating, so:

• eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, wholemeal bread, cereals and pasta. Avoid raw bran and excessive amounts of very high-fibre foods, as they're too bulky and may interfere with the absorption of certain nutrients.
• drink plenty of fluids. Aim for up to eight cups of fluid a day. Tea and coffee can count towards this, as can sauces such as gravy, custard and ice cream.

If you're responsible for looking after an older relative or friend who needs a lot of assistance, here are some common problems and suggestions that might be useful to ensure they eat well.

• Offer to do some shopping for them
• Shop online for them or, if they have a computer with internet access, offer to help them learn how to do it
• Make a batch of stew, pasta sauce or other dishes and freeze them in individual portions so they're ready to heat and eat
• Make sure they have plenty of store cupboard items that are easy to prepare, such as tinned vegetables and fish, pasta and rice, dried fruit and nuts, frozen foods, etc.

If you suspect an older relative is experiencing problems with swallowing, contact your doctor. Such difficulties can arise from neurological disorders, Parkinson's disease, or following head injury or stroke.

A speech and language therapist can diagnose the severity of the problem, and will offer advice on which types of food texture will be appropriate. The texture of foods can be modified to help with swallowing problems - for example, soft foods through to thick fluids or a thin purée.

A dietician should be involved in the care process to ensure the texture-modified diet is high in energy and essential nutrients.

If you're concerned about the weight loss of an older relative in hospital, or living in a nursing or residential home, speak to the nurse in charge.

Ask about the meals provided and request that food intake and any further weight loss are monitored. If you're still concerned, ask to speak to a doctor or for a referral to a state-registered dietician.

This article was written by the MRC Human Nutrition Research and published in August 2008.