Eating(3)

RanchersWife

My LO won’t eat sometimes. The hospice nurse says that if she’s not eating she’s not hungry. I’m having a hard time figuring out how much to gently push/entice /distract and feed. How do we determine how hard to try to get her to eat?

May flowers

Rancherswife, from previous posts I’ve seen from you, I think our LOs are at a similar place. We are also at this point of eating/not eating.

Since Saturday, my FIL has not wanted to eat much, but he was coughing a lot. We are worried about dysphagia, but he also started a new sleep med right before the coughing started and I was wondering if it was causing reflux. So last night we stopped the med and the dr had him start Prilosec during the day and Pepcid at night. Not only did he sleep much better, the coughing has gone way down today. 

I worry about all these meds I am crushing for him - I have started calling our pharmacy to ask if it is safe. Some of these meds may be coated to protect their stomach.

Anyway, that is just an aside. I will be interested to hear other’s answers to your question. 

RanchersWife

MayFlowers, we had the “crushing pills” conversation this week with the hospice nurse. We aren’t quite there yet but it’s on the horizon. My LO only takes Valsartan (blood pressure), Celexa (anxiety), Seroquel (keep her calmer but makes her sleepy ), baby aspirin, and a vitamin. Sometimes less is better. I prioritize which pills I give in case she stops cooperating. Vitamin is last. 

Cynbar

Sad as it is to watch, turning away from food (and later liquids) is part of the disease progression. Her body is slowing down, moving towards shutting down . It just doesn't want the nourishment, and pushing too hard will only upset and agitate her. This is entirely normal and natural. Best advice is to offer food gently but don't insist, don't force it, don't spend great amounts of time trying to get a little more into her. Doing so will only make this process harder for her.  If she's hungry, she'll take the food without a great deal of effort on your part. Sometimes the best thing to do is step back and take your cues from her. I'm sorry.

live in daughter

Hi Ranchers Wife, it came to a point with my Mom that she would start to spit food out or pocket food in her mouth. We let her be our guide on when and what she would eat. Since her food intake was declining, we would offer food frequently but if she would spit it out we knew she did not want food.

She often would take ice cream when she declined other foods.

Hope this helps

RanchersWife

Thanks for the replies. She ate better yesterday. I have her today. We will see how she does with me.

irene912

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/60126/eating-3

Hard to say. Dementia takes away the feeling of hunger. Main thing, is you LO losing weight? Can be dangerous if they get sick & not enough muscle & calories to fight off sickness. Nutrition shakes are good, filled with protein, like Ensure. I feel if they eat 1 small plate/day, it's good. Just make it count, protein rich food. Good luck. My mom won't eat either. Daily struggle.

mommyandme (m&m)

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/204176#Comment_204176

this thread is two years old. Glad for your support.