Caring for someone with weight loss

Here are some suggestions for carers about coping with food preparation and mealtimes:

• Knowing when someone’s appetite is at its best means you can make the most of it and treat them to their favourite foods.
• Rather than aiming for three meals a day, try to encourage the person you’re caring for to eat 5-6 smaller meals throughout the day. This can be a difficult change to make when you are used to the routine of having three meals a day. 
• Gently encourage the person you’re caring for to eat routinely but try not to push them too much. It helps to create a relaxed atmosphere at mealtimes.
• Keep servings small and offer second helpings rather than putting too much food on their plate to begin with.
• Keep nibbles within someone’s reach so that they’re ready whenever the person feels hungry. Have a look at a suggested shopping list, and perhaps stock up on some items you know your loved one prefers so that you can prepare meals and snacks easily.
• Be aware of how energy supplements can be used in everyday meals and drinks  so that you can add energy to them. For example by adding fortified milk to tea or coffee as required.
• There are suggestions and building-up recipes available in our recipes section. There are also recipes available from the different companies that make the energy supplement drinks and powders.
• Make batches of a favourite vegetable soup and freeze some for a quick meal at a later date. Do not freeze anything that has had cream added to it.
• An aperitif, such as sherry or brandy, half an hour before a meal is a good way of stimulating someone’s appetite. Some people find a glass of wine with their meals helps their digestion. Check with your doctor or specialist nurse that the person you’re caring for can have alcohol.
• Try to talk openly to the person you care for about their weight loss and the different ways you could both manage it. This can help you both feel more in control of the situation.

We have more information specifically for carers|, including sections on communication, working while caring, information for young carers, and caring for people with advanced cancer.

 

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Watch Ciarán's story of caring|

Ciarán talks about caring for his wife when she had cancer.