does anyone have caregiving advice

CanadianCaregiver

Hi,

I am caregiving for someone I just met who is very early alz. I have previous experience with caregiving and rehabilitation with people with various disabilities.

I know that alzheimers can make people not realize that they need to eat, and I have tried to convince them they need eat to but they are adamant that they don't want dinner and are not hungry. This person is very strong willed and still fairly independent and functional.

I'm not really sure what I can do at this point. I really want to take good care of them, but I don't think I can force them. They also insist on having a drink in the evening and had a minor fall today. They're okay thank goodness. I watched them very carefully after that and encouraged them to take a nap, which they did.

I'm pretty sure that if I try to control this person's behaviour it will destroy the ability I do have to communicate with them at all and it may make things worse. We are still on pretty good terms, even if they don't want to have dinner. I don't believe in threats and intimidation or hiding the alcohol. That's not going to work as far as I am concerned.

When I took this job I was under the impression that it was going to be very easy and like a bit of a holiday and that he could take care of himself more or less.

Does anyone have any feedback? I have two more days.

Iris L.

Do you sit down and eat dinner with him? Often PWDs will follow your initiative. Iris

ButterflyWings

Are they on Aricept or another med that may suppress appetite? My DH could not take that. Lost 15 lbs in such a short time, and he just was not hungry. Never. So, we had to stop that med and he regained his appetite immediately. And the healthy weight.

You can use Boost or Ensure for a meal replacement. I also add peanut butter, applesauce or fresh fruits, and even protein powder to add more nutrition to each drink. Sometimes blending with a bit of ice for a loaded smoothie...other times just adding it even though he eats now, no issue.

SDianeL

My husband was diagnosed with vascular dementia 2 years ago. Lately he has been saying he's not hungry and stop feeding him! He no longer recognizes food and can't remember the names of foods. I just ignore him when he says he's not hungry. We eat 2x a day, late breakfast and early dinner. I fix his favorites. I fix a small portion and not too many items. I put it in front of his chair and he eats it all. Then later before bed he either eats a snack or drinks a protein shake. He likes the Splenda chocolate protein shakes. He's down to 2 things for breakfast: cereal with a banana and waffles. No eggs, no bacon, no sausage, no toast. I would remove all alcohol from the premises. Alcohol and dementia or Alzheimer's is NOT good. Alcohol is bad combined with some medications. Fix them a non alcoholic cocktail. Who has the DPOA? I would also recommend caregiver training specifically for Alzheimer's or dementia patients. There is training here for the various stages: https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving