A Guide to Care and Senior Living for Seniors With Obesity

Covered in this guide:

• Factors Impacting Obesity in Older Adults
• How Senior Living Can Be Beneficial for Seniors With Obesity
• How Caregivers Can Advocate for Seniors Living With Obesity
• What to Look for in a Senior Living Community for Someone With Obesity
• Senior Living Facilities That Offer Obesity Management and Care
• Helpful Resources for Seniors With Obesity and Their Caregivers

Updated: May 20, 2023 | Reviewed by: Deidre Sommerer, LPN, MS, CMC, CDP

Weight can be a fraught subject tied up with issues of health, self-image and the stigma of being overweight. Seniors living with obesity often face discrimination, social isolation and other types of mistreatment. Finding the right support and learning to advocate for a loved one with obesity can help you ensure they get the care they need as they age. 

The health impacts of excess weight are well-known. It's a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and some forms of cancer. Being overweight can also impact other health conditions, even if it’s not a direct cause. Excess weight can put more pressure on joints, making osteoarthritis more difficult to manage, and seniors living with obesity are at an increased risk of falls. 

Bias toward overweight people can also impact health. It causes low self-esteem, depression and health disparities. Overweight people can find it more difficult to get diagnosed for some conditions and get appropriate health care. This makes it more important to understand how obesity can impact your loved one.

This guide has information about obesity in older adults, the place of senior living in a care plan and how to advocate for loved ones living with obesity. It also contains a list of senior living communities with wellness programs and resources that can help people struggling with weight issues. 

Factors Impacting Obesity in Older Adults

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 41.5% of U.S. adults over 60 are considered obese. These figures are close to the rest of the adult population, as the obesity prevalence is 44.3% among people aged 40 to 59 and 39.8% among those aged 20 to 39. 

However, obesity can be misdiagnosed in older adults. Most doctors use body mass index (BMI) to determine whether a person is in a healthy weight range for their height. The measurement has limitations when used to assess the health of individuals, as it only looks at overall weight rather than the proportion of lean muscle mass a person has. 

This can be problematic for seniors. As humans age, they lose muscle mass. So, as a person gets older, they may stay the same weight but have more fat tissue rather than muscle. This means you can be at risk for health issues caused by obesity, even though your BMI says you’re healthy. 

At the other end of the scale, many seniors lose height as they age. This is due to cartilage in joints wearing out and the discs in your spinal column flattening. If you get shorter, but your body composition doesn’t change, you may be incorrectly diagnosed with obesity. 

Alternative calculations, such as waist measurements, can help overcome these problems. You can ask your doctor about more accurate options if you’re concerned about a diagnosis. 

Some factors that contribute to obesity in seniors include:

• Food insecurity: Seniors on a fixed budget may need to choose between healthy food and other expenses. It can also be difficult to prepare healthy meals.
• Change in dietary requirements: People need fewer calories as they get older, and it can be easy to gain weight if you don’t realize that your food intake should get smaller.
• Fear of falls: Seniors who are worried about their balance may limit their exercise. 
• Impact of other conditions: Other health conditions may affect a senior's weight. For example, osteoarthritis can make it painful to exercise. 
• Medications: Seniors are more likely to take multiple prescription medicines, some of which may make it difficult to maintain or lose weight.

How Senior Living Can Be Beneficial for Seniors With Obesity

Older adults living with obesity may find it beneficial to move to a senior living community. Caregivers in these communities are trained to provide care to seniors, and the amenities help residents stay physically, mentally and socially healthy. Below is a list of typical services and how they can benefit seniors with obesity.

How Caregivers Can Advocate for Seniors Living With Obesity

People with obesity often report that they are stigmatized due to their weight. A 2011 study found that stigmatization affects individual emotional, physical and social well-being. More concerning is that weight bias can impact health quality and outcomes. All seniors should be treated with dignity and respect. Learning how to advocate for your loved one with obesity can help ensure that happens. 

Personal Advocacy

Most seniors with obesity need someone to advocate for them when they interact with health care and other service providers. To ensure they receive the care they need, you can:

• Ensure a correct diagnosis: As discussed above, obesity can be misdiagnosed in older adults. Don’t be afraid to ask for further tests.
• Ask your doctor for clarification: When discussing your loved one’s health with their doctor, make sure you understand what they’re saying and ask for clarification if needed. 
• Look for an obesity-friendly doctor: If possible, find recommendations for someone who doesn’t have a weight bias. These providers tend to have accessible offices and larger chairs in waiting rooms and will treat the patient rather than blaming health concerns on weight. 
• Ask for a second opinion: If you think your doctor is ignoring health concerns due to a weight bias, ask for a second opinion. You can also ask them how they would treat those symptoms if they were speaking to a patient without obesity . 
• Ask about science-based obesity treatments: Talk to the doctor about obesity treatments backed by science and geared toward older adults.
• Get a medication review: Ask for a review of your loved one’s medications. If any cause weight gain, ask for an alternative. 
• Challenge weight bias: When you hear someone discriminating against people with obesity, challenge their perception. 
• Support non-discriminatory businesses: Choose to support businesses and care providers who have accessible facilities and aren’t discriminatory. 

Societal Advocacy

Acting on behalf of a single person makes a huge difference in their life. However, they can still be impacted by structural stigmatization. You may wish to be involved with larger obesity issues to help change society. 

• Recognize obesity as a disease: Obesity is a chronic condition recognized by the American Medical Association. When you hear people blame individuals for obesity, point out that it’s a medical issue. 
• Fight against weight bias: In most states, it’s legal to discriminate on the basis of weight. Contact your legislators and ask them what they’re doing to protect constituents from weight bias. 
• Promote obesity prevention strategies: Many people focus on “calories in, calories out” when it comes to preventing obesity. Unfortunately, human bodies are more complex than this expression suggests and there are many structural factors that contribute to obesity rates. Talk to people about the need for science-based obesity programs and health care access for seniors across the country. 
• Encourage equitable access to obesity care: Many types of obesity care aren’t covered by health insurance plans, including Medicare. This leaves a gap in people’s continuum of care. Speak to legislators about adding this as a health insurance requirement.
• Speak up about your experiences with weight discrimination: Tell other people your story and the experiences of your loved one. This can change society’s opinions and let others know they’re not alone. 

What to Look for in a Senior Living Community for Someone With Obesity

Seniors with obesity have specific concerns when looking for a senior living community. Use this checklist to help you find a facility that meets your needs. 

Senior Living Facilities That Offer Obesity Management and Care

Many senior living communities offer exercise and nutrition programs tailored to residents’ needs. Experts in senior fitness can help develop a plan that allows you to stay active while minimizing the risk of injury, and healthy eating plans can help you get the nutrition you need.

A family advisor can help you find a senior living community that supports your health and well-being. Contact 1-800-334-9427 today to discuss your options. 

Helpful Resources for Seniors With Obesity and Their Caregivers

There are many resources to help seniors struggling with weight issues, as well as the caregivers of people with obesity. Below you can find advocacy groups, support groups, meal assistance and more. 

Expert Reviewer

Deidre Sommerer

Deidre has worked in the healthcare field for over 35 years and specializes in Geriatrics. Deidre is a nurse who holds a certification from the National Academy of Certified Care Managers and is a Certified Dementia Practitioner. She has worked across all healthcare settings, with a concentration on the community and helping older and disabled adults age in place. She has worked on NIH grant-funded program evaluation projects and considers herself a life-long learner. Deidre is a valued team member at The Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging in Hartford, CT.