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Eating well for carers, friends, neighbours or relatives

Carers can include husbands, wives, partners, children or any relative looking after or visiting an older person – not just a professional carer who helps with day-to-day living.


Bowl of porridge and spoon on a table

You can help by:

  • visiting at meal times so you can eat together and see if they're eating well
  • encouraging them to eat socially with friends and family
  • remind them that Gold Card holders can get discounts at lots of cafés, pubs or restaurants, so eating out doesn't have to be expensive
  • offer to help with shopping and writing a shopping list so you can both make sure there's nourishing food within date to choose from
  • encourage extra high-calorie drinks and snacks
  • look into lunch clubs, meal delivery services or supermarket delivery
  • contact social and health services for further advice, but ask the older person first
  • ask the person to weigh themselves, so you can both keep track of weight lost and gained
  • reassure them that 3 square meals a day doesn't have to be the rule - it's fine to eat little and often to snack between meals

How can I tell if someone I know is losing weight?

When it's someone you see every day, you may not always notice change over time. But keep these signs in mind:

  • Are rings looser on fingers?
  • Are shirt collars looser?
  • Do slippers that once fit seem to be too big now?
  • Are skirts and trousers loose around the waist?
  • Do dentures fit less well? (gums receding)
  • Are limbs thinner than before?
  • Do belts need to go on a tighter notch?

Other signs to look out for:

  • finding it hard to keep warm
  • suffering from diarrhoea or constipation
  • having dizzy spells
  • suffering from dry skin or pressure sores
  • eating and drinking less than usual
  • having mouth problems - swallowing and chewing, sore mouth or tongue, bleeding or swollen gums, teeth problems or choking problems
  • getting frequent infections
  • finding it hard to shake off colds and infections

If you're a carer, you can contact someone's GP if you think it's necessary. They won't breach confidentiality but they can take note of your concerns.