Mom not wanting to eat

Dingie10

A lot has happened since my last post. In August, I took my mom to the ER because she was a little off. Found out she had a mild infarct and UTI. She was in rehab for 21 days. In September, my mom fell in the bathroom. I heard a thud, but didn’t know it was her until I heard her wail. Long story short, I took her to the ER. She had fractured her femur neck and had to have pins put in. Back to another rehab. She gets out in two days, but now doesn’t want to eat. My mom is tiny and is losing weight again. The ER doc had put her on an antidepressant to increase her appetite, but it caused delusions and hallucinations, so I asked the rehab to stop giving it to her. And she was recently treated for thrush.

My mom is Japanese and I brought her Japanese food yesterday, which she loves, but she kept telling me she wasn’t hungry. I finally got her to eat a little and asked her how her food was, but she said it wasn’t good. Her roommate told me my mom hasn’t really eaten much the past few days.

My mom is 89lbs. I’m afraid if she doesn’t eat, it will kill her. She’s also in late stage dementia.

I’m not sure if the Thrush is interfering with her appetite or if she has something else going on health-wise.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

Sue

harshedbuzz

@Dingie10

That's a lot for the pair of you to have gone through since August.

Oral thrush can lead to a bad taste in one's mouth which could carry over when eating and make food taste unpleasant.

Feeding in late stage can be challenging. Dementia is terminal. As end-of-life approaches, many PWD eat and drink very little. Sometimes sweet foods are more readily accepted; at this point calories and hydration are more important than a balanced diet.

If you haven't brought in hospice, it may be time to have her evaluated.

HB

mabelgirl

I’m so sorry you’re facing this point of her journey. Please think compassionately of what kind of life is your mother enduring? Would you want this for yourself? Hospice is definitely called for I believe. I pray you find peace and the ability to do what’s best at this point.

Quilting brings calm

You mentioned that your mom is in late stage dementia. To me that translates into stages 6/7. Both are horrible times to go through. The outcome is certain- the date is not.

In addition, your mom has mad a mild heart attack and a broken femur I’m just a couple months These basically bring elderly people closer to the end of life stage- with no real off ramp.

If your mom is not eating, it’s a signal that she’s reaching a transition point. I suggest you call in hospice, allow whatever she does want to eat ( probably sweet), but don’t force her to eat. If her digestive system is failing, forcing food is countermanded.

I’m sad for you that she’s reached this stage of life

NizhoniGrrl

I’m so sorry. Thrush can be painful. She may be telling you she’s had enough. I agree that it is time to at least consult with hospice and look at options that focus on comfort, not recovery.