Question

An 85-year-old woman states that she has no appetite and no desire to eat at mealtimes. The nurse's response is based on the knowledge that the older adult experiences which of these changes that may affect her appetite? Select all that apply.

a. May have difficulty swallowing food
b. May have difficulty chewing because of loss of teeth
c. Has a diminished sense of taste, especially salty and sweet

Answer 1

An elderly woman may experience diminished appetite due to difficulty swallowing, chewing, decreased sensitivity in taste buds, and age-related anosmia affecting the sense of taste and smell. These changes can make food less appetizing and may lead to increased salt intake, posing further health risks.

Step-by-step explanation:

An 85-year-old woman may experience several changes in her body that affect her appetite. These changes can include difficulty swallowing food due to a decrease in muscular strength and tone, difficulty chewing because of loss of teeth or diseased gums, and a diminished sense of taste, especially for salty and sweet flavors, due to less sensitive taste buds.

Additionally, the aging process often results in a decline in both taste and smell, which can make food seem less appetizing due to its blandness. These sensory declines are dramatic after age 50 and contribute to the elderly experiencing changes in their dietary preferences and appetite.

Ingested food can also move more slowly through the alimentary canal because the strength and tone of the muscular tissue are reduced. Neurosensory feedback is also dampened, thus slowing the transmission of messages that stimulate the release of digestive enzymes and hormones.

Moreover, the replacement of olfactory neurons decreases with age, leading to age-related anosmia which can make food taste bland and potentially result in increased salt intake to enhance flavor, which is problematic for cardiovascular health.