Interested in food, but eating less

MrsAnnabelLee

I'm curious if your loved one has also experienced this. Mom still seems very interested in food, but she has started eating way less than usual. She'll take a few bites of her meal and be done, even if she really enjoys the food. Any ideas why this may be happening?

MN Chickadee

My mother was like this in recent months. I don't know why. It's like after a while she got tired of the act of eating or something. One thing that helped some was more cuing. The MC staff would leave her to her devices for the first half the meal. Then someone would sit down with her and do some intervening. Encourage her and do verbal cues. Helping her put food on the fork, help her lift her cup towards her mouth, sometimes even offer to put the fork full of food in her mouth. She would take more in this way for a while. But in the end it was just progression and after about 6 months of that she slowed way down in end stages. Hopefully with some cuing you can help her eat more. If not perhaps get hospice involved if they aren't yet.

Regina312

My Mom passed in 2015 and I was her primary caretaker.  I kept her eating till the very end.  Her doctor advised that she would eat less and less.  Her doctor also advised that keeping her eating was the most important thing I could do because eventually she would forget how to eat and how to swallow.  She no longer would use any type of utensils.  She had forgotten what they were and what they were used for.  It was sad.  But she ate with her hands - like a young child.   That was okay as long as she was eating.  She ate small amounts, but I fed her throughout the day with food, snacks and beverages.   She became distracted easily and often walked away from her plate.  And foods she liked no longer appealed to her.  This was all normal.  I would sit with her and feed her sometimes.  I would tell her to take a bite of this or that.  She ate enough to keep her going.  The doctor told me to give her anything and everything as long as the chewing and swallowing motion stayed functioning. Sometimes she spit out her food too.  Don't force her to overeat, but do try to keep her eating.  I also gave my Mom protein and nutritional drinks like Ensure or Boost to supplement her diet.  I wish you all the best.

LicketyGlitz

We did the small bites throughout the day too like Regina suggested. It was like a tappas bar around here all day long, except instead of Spanish influence it was little bites of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches set out on the counter.

Arrowhead

My wife often doesn't finish a meal. If I leave it out where she can find it, then she often finishes it a bit at a time later.

abc123

Hello Anna, Regina, Lickety & Arrowhead! 

My mom is still interested in food but now pockets the food. She has lost the ability to chew and swallow. The RN from hospice came twice yesterday, both visits were about eating/food. We have switched to baby food. Smaller portions all thru the day and night. We were instructed to feed mom smaller portions whenever she shows interest! If she wakes up at 2am and shows interest in eating, the RN said that's fine. She reminded us we are now totally and completely on mom's schedule. Routines are out the window at this point. We were told she is considered end stage 7 and keeping mom comfortable is all that matters. The RN puts plenty of emphasis on the word END. Keeping her comfortable has always been our first goal, as well as keeping her safe and clean. There has been so many changes in a short time. Moms been at my house about 6 and a half weeks now, the changes are difficult to accept. Even though I knew what was coming it's still really hard. Dad is here too, I have to keep a positive and upbeat front for his sake. We are each others support system and moms journey with Alz. has made us closer. I am extremely grateful for the strong relationship we have. As you all know, there is nothing easy about this. If it weren't for all of you I'd a lost my last few marbles a long time ago! Sending you all love & peace & good wishes!

Sincerely,

abc123 & My Dogs!

Finding Joy

I have taken care of my Aunt for 5 years now. She loved food, most of the time. She is now in very late stage and she will not eat but a few bites. If she does not want it she will spit it out. I give her small portions every hour or two depending on how she eats. I use Boost and Ensure or any other shakes. She seems to like those. I really just try to keep her eating just smaller amounts more times a day.

This is really hard. My Aunt is not doing the best now, has stopped walking on her own. I could use prayers. I can't keep lifting her.

mommyandme (m&m)

Finding Joy,

I’m very sorry! Do you have hospice on board? 

Finding Joy

They are coming out to do an evaluation. I am also looking into a memory care facility.