Weight Loss(2)

Judide65

My ADLO has been losing weight - especially as her disease progresses.  Most days, she eats like a bird...picking at her food.  Her desire for sugar (aka ice cream) remains consistent.  We have talked about her nutrition, but obviously this is difficult information for her to retain. 

I have tried preparing her meals and checking in with her to make sure she is eating her meals.  She gets mad that I am doing this.  Of course, she also doesn't remember if she has eaten and therefore always tells me that she has.  

 Any suggestions?   

TIA

May flowers

They say that dementia patients eventually lose their taste for anything but sweet which is why they crave sweets so much. We try to sweeten food as much as possible - we use sugar as his blood sugar is good, but sweeteners like stevia work for him too. For example, he had sweet potatoes (with butter and brown sugar) last night and we mixed up the meat in it. We also add mio juice to his water and give him ensures. He will eat PBJ sandwiches. Anything to get some protein in him!

So, my suggestion is use the sweet cravings to your advantage.

Judide65

Good idea!  Thank you so much! 

LJS45

I would not bother with a conversation about nutrition. As you said she will not retain any information you giver her. It might be time to have some help come in if she is having such difficulties and losing weight. There may be more going on than you are aware of as well. Perhaps you can try smoothies with protein powder and berries/fruit. Just a thought. Good luck to you.

Judide65

thank you!  I love smoothies too!  May be a good solution!

Arrowhead

My wife has also lost a lot of weight, but she loves to eat. She eats more than I do and would eat even more if I would let her. Weight loss can be a sign of depression, but she seems upbeat most of the time. She spends most of her day cruising the house and moving things from one place to another. Maybe she's just getting more exercise that she did when she had a desk job.