When your loved one doesn't feel like eating

I often encounter the reluctant eater. "I'm just not hungry, honey", they say. Unless a person is in the final stages of life and have begun to shut down, getting good nutrition is very important.

Make small, very attractive mini-meals, and serve them on colorful plates. An elderly person may feel no hunger, until they see and smell a delicious snack. Avoid strong, unpleasant odors if the person has a tendency toward nausea. Sometimes a cooler dish will have less of a strong smell, and be more appealing.

One of my favorite things to do is set out a vegetable and meat or meat substitute plate, arranged like a tiny party platter. Matchstick-cut carrots, celery, and cucumbers pair well with super thinly sliced red onion rings, and slices of cooked chicken or turkey. If the elder does not suffer from digestive issues, you may accompany this with whole wheat crackers. An alternative to the meat would be hard boiled egg halves, or a small bowl of room temperature garbanzo beans. If they enjoy hummus, you may put the raw veggies around a custard dish of hummus for dipping. This size of meal is perfect for the evening.