Causes of Unintentional weight loss in Elderly Patients Mnemonic

when we get too old to cook we get

MEALS ON WHEALS

 

Medication effects
Emotional problems (especially depression)
Anorexia nervosa, alcoholism
Late life paranoia
Swallowing disorders

Oral factors (such as poorly fitting dentures, caries)
No money

Wandering and other dementia related behaviours

Hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, hypoadrenalism

Enteric problems

Eating problems (such as an inability to feed oneself)

Low salt, low cholesterol diet

Stones, social problems (such as isolation, an inability to obtain preferred foods)