How to manage unexpected weight loss in loved ones

Obvious reasons an elderly person may lose weight include a recent surgery, the sudden death of a spouse or loved one, or a major life change like moving from a long-time residence. More subtle reasons, including emotional struggles or an undiagnosed disease, may take some observation and time to uncover.

Other reasons to consider:

• Isolated or lonely living situation with little oversight
• Emotional or mental burdens like grief, depression or anxiety
• Medication side effects causing lack of appetite
• Chronic undiagnosed conditions or disease like gastrointestinal disease, cancer, thyroid problems, or diabetes
• Mobility issues that prevent purchase of food or ability to leave the house to shop
• Lack of transportation or resources to buy nutritional food or enough food
• Caregiving responsibilities that consume time and energy causing weight loss
• Change in tastes which leads an older person to not enjoy eating food as much.

Dementia and memory loss eventually cause great concern for overall health, whether it is the ability to fix food, remembering to eat, or paranoia about food itself.

Families or caregivers concerned about weight loss may be unsure of how to address the problem or even the severity of the weight loss. Working directly with a primary care physician is the best place to start.

If a senior doesn’t have a physician or hasn’t had a wellness exam recently, find a physician and set an appointment for a thorough wellness screening.

With unexplained weight loss, your physician may ask for information to help with diagnosis. Before a visit, think about the following questions and how your observations could give the physician more insight.

• How has the senior’s appetite changed, either in the recent past or over a longer period of time?
• Does your loved one complain about any other symptoms? Abdominal pain or difficulty swallowing?
• What is the practical living arrangement? Does the senior live alone and do the shopping? Is there a caregiver or spouse in the home?
• Has the senior been previously diagnosed with any GI problems, dementia, diabetes or other major health conditions?
• Does the senior take medications regularly?

Senior primary care physicians and their care teams are trained to look at a senior’s whole living situation to find the best solutions for healthy living. If you’re able to work with the senior or elderly person directly, involve them in taking stock of what’s in the pantry and kitchen.

• Offer to help organize or clean the refrigerator as a start, allowing time to observe the age, quantity and quality of food in the home.
• If access to food is an issue, talk to the senior about eating preferences and likes, suggesting new ways to find nutritional food. Is there a neighbor who likes to cook and could drop an occasional meal? Does the senior lack money to buy food?
• When possible, weigh the senior and begin tracking the weight on a calendar or smart device. Some technologies even allow for remote monitoring.
• Look for medicines, supplements or other pill bottles that might indicate any changes or problems with medicines.

Cachexia isn’t a common word or something obvious. Cachexia affects anyone suffering from undiagnosed advanced cancer, most commonly pancreatic or lung cancer. This syndrome contributes to weight loss.

When considering unintentional weight loss in an elderly loved one who has lost significant weight and has little energy, talk to your primary care physician about the need for further screening or diagnostics.

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