How to increase appetite in seniors: Expert tips that work Care: Hope Barkoukis, chair of the Department of Nutrition, discussed why eating well is essential for healthy aging, even though maintaining a strong appetite can be a challenge for many older adults. She also explained how contrary to what many may believe, loss of appetite is actually not a normal part of healthy aging. However, anywhere from 15 to 30 percent of adults over the age of 60 report having a poor appetite.