eating habits regressing

As the disease progresses, the social filters are forgotten, including table manners. My formerly fastidious DH has progressed to the point where he will even spit things out of his mouth onto the floor. He was doing that today with lumps in his puree. I caught him in the act and had him spit into the napkin while I held it, but he now lacks the skills to do that by himself. I laughingly told him that his grandmother raised him better than that and would come back from the grave to swat his backside if she could see him do it now. He smiled, but did it again not 30 seconds later.

For some PWD, the physical act of using utensils becomes too difficult, and finger foods are offered.

I think it is just the progression of the disease. I gave my DH a hot dog with ketchup and mustard. I looked at him and he took the hot dog off the bun and was holding it in his hand eating it. Then he stabbed the bun with his fork and ate the bun off his fork. I think he is truly forgetting how to eat. Needless to say, eating out is very very rare for us.

it’s the disease. He will soon forget how to feed himself or eat. Such a heartbreaking and terrible disease.

this disease is so cruel my DH is challenge each meal time I cut his food into small spoon size portions but the spoon is becoming difficult. He has special fat handled cutlery but this isn’t helping. I am at the stage of helping him eat. We do have a laugh because he likes a small glass of port often with his meal and then only has one or two sips. Dinner food often is found under the table and we always use a very large disposable paper napkin to try and catch most of the dropped dinner. The good part is that he is not stressed with this but it’s again socially isolating because it makes eating out too difficult even our daughter, son in law and their three boys find it difficult - very sad, not his fault or choice.

It is the disease, My poor DH does the same. He will forget how to use utensils. When he started eating mash potatoes and salmon with his hands I knew public dinning was over. So sorry.

My DH takes at least an hour to eat. So many forks have disappeared - probably in recliner where he eats or in garbage. Trying to get him to use utensils as long as possible since I know the day is coming where he won't be able. He also puts all kinds of things on his plate — cards and small items he sorts. Oddly, sometimes he tries to eat non-eatable things randomly during the day. I have found that Ice cream is the best medicine! He cries a lot, but does not cry while eating dessert! 68 years old, 5th year, things moving fast.

This sounds so familiar. My DH also spits food when he gets something he doesn't want to eat. Either that, or he removes it with his fingers and throws it on the floor. I find napkins, used kleenex and candy wrappers on the floor where he has thrown them. Often, behind a sofa or chair. We never have visitors anymore so I can just let it go and clean when I find these little presents. Not that it isn't maddening but right now the least of my worries.