Palliative care

Sandi Roe

Hi all it’s been awhile since I had trouble with my password 🤦‍♀️ my daughter keeps wanting me to get my LO on Palliative Care. He is diagnosed Alzheimer’s stage 4-5. Our biggest problem now is getting him to eat. He just says I already ate or I’m not hungry. He talks to himself ALL day, I just don’t know if he would qualify. His doctor told me to call the Neurologist for a referral 🤔 time to get up and face another day of nothingness. Love and light, Sandi

trottingalong

His doctor could refer him to palliative care without going through a neurologist. Then the palliative care team would decide if he’s a candidate at this point. We just went through this with my husband. The doctor asked multiple questions and then we all agreed right now is not the time for us. Our doctor was willing to write the referral though if we wanted to speak to the palliative care team together.

SDianeL

many PWDs say they are not hungry but will eat if presented with food. Try bright red plate and finger foods. Is he drinking protein shakes? I would talk to the Palliative Care team and ask them questions to help you make the decision. They might have tips on how to get him to eat. It’s not good if he is losing weight.

howhale

Reach out to the palliative care resource. They can determine qualifications. My dear wife went through several different phases of diet over the course of the disease. It was a challenge to keep up with what she would eat without a fight. As soon as I stocked up on what was her favorite, it changed again and I was donating food stuffs to others. Our PCP who knew her quite well simplified it for me to help, He said "we know the outcome and we cannot change it, make the time together as pleasant and peaceful for her and yourself". He then told me that she needs calories and liquid and whatever she will eat to meet that simple goal is what I needed to do. I took his advice and her diet went from all sweets, to almost nothing at all, to very large healthy meals and back to minimal. It is a constant challenge to try different things, strange combinations, and everything between. Because sweet is one of the last taste sensations to go, we used things like fig preserves, honey, blueberry preserves, waffle syrup to mix in her foods to entice her to eat. I literally would go to Walmart and purchase every jar of blueberry preserves off the shelf. When that passed, i had a pantry full of the jars to donate.

Chance Rider

@howhale thank you so much for sharing your pcp’s advice, it validates my approach. My husband (late 4) seems to be transitioning out of the sweets phase and his likes/dislikes change often. I pick my battles carefully and don’t try to force healthier choices on him, which tends to just agitate him.

I’m sorry for the loss of your wife and greatly appreciate your openness in sharing your experiences.
Eve