Older adults commonly eat and drink too little: appetite and thirst signals weaken with age, medications alter taste, and chewing or swallowing problems make meals tiring. Practical care emphasizes protein at every meal, nutrient-dense favorite foods over large portions, and offering fluids on a schedule rather than waiting for thirst that may never register. Watch weight and clothing fit as early warning signs of undernutrition, and involve the person in food choices to keep eating a pleasure rather than a chore. Persistent poor intake or unintended weight loss deserves a clinician's attention — it is a treatable problem, not normal aging.
Older adults often eat and drink less than they need because appetite and thirst signals weaken with age and medications, illness, or dental problems make eating harder. Watching for risk factors lik…