Aging is not always marked by sudden and noticeable changes like your hair turning white overnight or having to use a cane out of the blue. Instead, aging tends to occur quietly in the corners of our lives through small changes that we may miss unless we pay close attention.
To recognize these changes doesn’t mean to be “on watch” or bracing for the worst case scenario. This is more of an effort to develop a different literacy, one that involves recognizing the language that the body and mind may be using as they transition into a new phase.
The following are five such signs that indicate a loved one is struggling with the issues that come with aging.
Changes in Appetite or Noticeable Weight Loss
The very first change may reveal itself in the kitchen. You may see that there is less food stored in the refrigerator, or people around you say, “I’m just not really that hungry,” all too casually. This is important because nutrition gives strength to other processes that take place in the body.
There are multiple explanations behind this phenomenon. Physiologically, the process of aging dulls the senses of smell and taste so that food starts tasting like cardboard to older people. As noted by the researchers of Mayo Clinic, “reduced appetite in older adults” may also stem from side effects of hypertension or cholesterol-reducing medications that older people commonly use. Additionally, problems with teeth or poor digestion also make a meal an unpleasant experience.
However, we shouldn’t forget about the social aspect. Consider your favorite food; most likely, you enjoy it even more when dining with someone else. Preparing a full course for oneself might seem pointless to a lonely elderly individual who lives alone. Loneliness has a way of diminishing hunger.
Rather than constantly reminding them to “eat their greens,” try reintroducing food into their social life. Drop by with some food that can be shared. Alternatively, set up a “food preparation date” with the goal of creating smaller, quick meals together.
Ongoing Fatigue or a “Heavy” Loss of Energy
Everyone experiences fatigue, but this is something else entirely. This chronic, debilitating fatigue cannot be alleviated by a quick nap. Perhaps they no longer take their morning stroll, or maybe they have been lounging in their favorite recliner, watching the television all afternoon without much interest.