If you’ve ever opened your mum or dad’s fridge and found it surprisingly empty or noticed they’re “just having toast” most nights, you’re not alone. Across the Dungog District, many families tell us the same story: their parent insists they’re fine, but small changes in appetite, shopping habits or energy levels are adding up.

Nutrition in older age isn’t just about “eating healthy”. It’s about maintaining strength, reducing falls risk, supporting immunity, managing chronic conditions, and protecting the independence your parents value. Because these changes happen gradually, it’s easy to miss the early warning signs until a minor issue becomes a major setback.

At Neighbourcare, we see firsthand how the right food support, practical, respectful and tailored, can help older people stay safer and steadier at home.

Ageing changes what “good nutrition” looks like

Many of us grew up thinking nutrition is simple: eat a balanced diet and you’ll be right. But ageing changes the body in ways that make food and fluids more complicated, even when your parents’ preferences haven’t changed.

Common shifts include:

• Smaller appetite (and changes to taste and smell)
• Lower energy needs but higher nutrient needs (food has to “work harder”)
• Dental or swallowing difficulties that push people toward softer, less nutritious options
• Reduced thirst, increasing dehydration risk
• Medication side effects like nausea, dry mouth or altered taste
• Life circumstances such as grief, loneliness, limited transport or reduced mobility

So yes, your parents might be eating less because they’re “not as hungry”… but that doesn’t mean their body needs less support. In later life, “small appetites” often need high-value meals, foods that pack more nutrition into smaller portions.

Why food affects more than the dinner table

When nutrition slips, the impact rarely stays limited to weight. Food is fuel for every system that helps older adults live well at home.

Here’s what we commonly see when intake drops:

1) Strength declines faster than you’d expect
Age-related muscle loss can accelerate when protein intake declines. A lack of strength can make everyday tasks more difficult, such as getting up from a chair, climbing stairs, carrying groceries, or staying steady in the shower.

2) Falls risk increases
Low energy, dehydration, dizziness, and weakness all increase the risk of falls. A fall can lead to hospitalisation, and hospitalisation can lead to even more appetite loss and deconditioning. It becomes a frustrating loop.

3) Recovery takes longer
If your parent isn’t eating enough, they may take longer to recover from illness, infections, surgery or even minor wounds.

4) Mood and thinking can be affected
Poor intake (especially fluids) can contribute to confusion, low mood, irritability and “brain fog.” Families sometimes assume this is “just ageing,” when it may be partly nutrition-related.

 

Nutrition is a health strategy. It’s also a quality-of-life strategy.

The quiet signs your parent might not be eating well

Older adults are often proud and private. They may not mention difficulties, and many don’t want to “bother” their family. That’s why it helps to know what to look for.

Keep an eye out for patterns like:

• Clothes becoming loose or unplanned weight loss.
• Low energy, sleeping more, or “not feeling up to much”
• Relying heavily on tea, biscuits, toast, cereal or instant meals
• Trouble chewing, coughing during meals, or avoiding meat and crunchy foods
• More dizziness, headaches, constipation or frequent falls/near-falls
• Less interest in socialising (eating alone most of the time often reduces intake)

If you’re noticing a pattern, trust your instincts. It’s far easier to improve nutrition early than to recover after a hospital stay.

Family-friendly ways to help (without turning meals into a battle)

Food is emotional. It’s tied to independence, culture, identity and routine. The goal is to support your parents’ choices while making it easier for them to meet their needs.

Try these practical steps:

Make the “easy option” the nutritious option

Instead of overhauling everything, focus on upgrading what your parent will actually use:

• Add eggs, cheese, yoghurt, legumes or fish to familiar meals.
• Keep quick, high-protein choices handy (tuna, baked beans, yoghurt pouches, pre-cooked chicken)

Think smaller, more often

If big meals are too much, aim for mini meals and nourishing snacks through the day. A small appetite can still meet needs if the options are nutrient-dense.

Make hydration automatic

A filled bottle within reach, a drink with each medication time, and fluid-rich foods (soups, fruit, yoghurt) can help. Dehydration is common and often overlooked.

Keep texture and safety in mind

If chewing is tiring, try softer options such as casseroles, mince dishes, smoothies, soups, scrambled eggs, and slow-cooked meats. If swallowing seems difficult, speak with a health professional promptly.

Add a social element where possible

A shared lunch, a regular phone call at mealtimes, or arranging a service that includes a friendly check-in can make a difference.

When it’s time to bring in help: dietitian, support worker and meal services

There’s a point where “family help” becomes “family strain.” That’s where home care support can step in, especially when your parent wants to stay in their own home but needs practical support to do so safely.

A dietitian can tailor nutrition to real life

A dietitian can be helpful if your parent has unplanned weight loss, poor appetite, difficulty chewing, or conditions like diabetes or heart disease. They don’t just hand over a generic plan; they translate health needs into meals your parent will actually eat. You can find an Accredited Practising Dietitian through the Dietitians Australia directory.

A support worker can make food easier day-to-day

A support worker can assist with:

• Shopping (or planning an online order)
• Meal preparation at home and safe kitchen support

This hands-on support is often the missing piece for families juggling work, kids and distance.

Meal preparation or delivery services can bridge the gap

For many older people, the hardest part isn’t eating; it’s planning, shopping, cooking and cleaning up. Meal preparation or delivery services can provide consistent nutrition with less stress.

 

One well-known option is Meals on Wheels, which delivers meals and provides a friendly connection. Many families also use meal delivery as a short-term boost after illness, or as a long-term routine to reduce risk.

Understanding funding and subsidised services

A common misconception is that help at home is “all private pay.” In reality, many older Australians can access funding and subsidised services to support independence, including meal-related support.

Start with My Aged Care

My Aged Care is the entry point to access government-funded aged care. If your parent hasn’t been assessed (or their needs have changed), a good first step is to apply for an assessment online.

 

If you’re supporting a parent, be present at the assessment and share what you’ve noticed (skipped meals, less shopping, weight loss) so nutrition support is included from the start.

Entry-level support: the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)

If your parent needs a small amount of help to keep living independently, the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) may be appropriate. CHSP can support older people with practical day-to-day tasks that help them stay safe and well at home.

More complex needs: Support at Home

If needs are more complex or increasing, the in-home aged care system includes Support at Home, which is designed to help older people remain living at home for longer with the right level of services.

A key tip: during the assessment and planning process, say the nutrition part out loud. Mention if your parent is skipping meals, losing weight, struggling with shopping, or avoiding foods due to chewing issues. That information helps ensure the right services are considered.

How Neighbourcare helps Dungog families

Nutrition support doesn’t have to mean “someone telling your parent what to eat.” The most effective approach is practical, respectful and built around your parents’ routines.

Dungog and District Neighbourcare can help with:

• In-home meal preparation (based on your parents’ preferences)
• Shopping support and pantry organisation
• Establishing simple meal and hydration routines
• Coordinating with health professionals, including a dietitian, when needed
• Linking food support into broader home aged care goals (so it’s not “one more thing” to manage)

We focus on maintaining dignity and independence, supporting what your parent can do, and helping with what’s become harder.

Ready to get support?

If you’re in the Dungog District or Upper Hunter area and you’re concerned about your parents’ appetite, weight, cooking or shopping, Dungog and District Neighbourcare can help you explore practical options.

Contact us to discuss home care support for meals, nutrition, and daily living, or apply via My Aged Care to start the pathway to services.

Live your best life with care at home.

Team Neighbourcare