Post Edited By Moderator (Howlyncat) : 3/29/2007 9:02:33 AM (GMT-6)
Recently, Nana hasn't been eating very much. All she seems to want is an ice cream cone. Papa took her to the store today so she could pick out her dinner, and come dinner time she didn't want to eat it. We got her to eat about half of the brocoli (it was a lean cuisine thing), but she wouldn't eat the chicken. Tonight she wasn't really eating because she was upset (which went away when the ice cream came out), but this has been going on for about a month or so. Anyone have any suggestions on how to get her to eat? She keeps trying to give her food to the dog. I'm worried about her, because she just picks at her food, then eats ice cream.
That's normal for the AD patient to do this.
My appetite started going away before I was dx in 1996.
I eat very little now compared to the way I used to eat,really don't get hungry anymore.
Many with AD crave sweets,My taste for sweets left years ago,things I loved taste too sweet now.
I have become VERY picky at what I eat,has to be just so,so before I eat it.
My appetite started going away before I was dx in 1996.
I eat very little now compared to the way I used to eat,really don't get hungry anymore.
Many with AD crave sweets,My taste for sweets left years ago,things I loved taste too sweet now.
I have become VERY picky at what I eat,has to be just so,so before I eat it.
Then there are those who can't get enough to eat,eat all the time.
SnowyLynne
Hi Pixie, Hello Lynne - we found that dad eats SOFT foods better. It's not that he doesn't like meat - it's that he doesn't like the texture. So we go for soft meats (or cook them in a "soft" way.) Also we put LESS on the plate so it doesn't overwhelm him.
We also found that cutting his food for him in thin small bites helps him. He "can" cut his own food - but isn't hungry enough to want to bother sometimes.
Let me know what works for YOU. :)
If he like Nanna likes ice cream - maybe she would like Instant Breakfast or other dietary shakes.
AlwaysRosie
Psalms 139
We also found that cutting his food for him in thin small bites helps him. He "can" cut his own food - but isn't hungry enough to want to bother sometimes.
Let me know what works for YOU. :)
If he like Nanna likes ice cream - maybe she would like Instant Breakfast or other dietary shakes.
AlwaysRosie
Psalms 139
Nana used to eat a lot before this past month. Now she just wants sweet things, especially ice cream.
I'll try cutting up her food. She really likes chicken, so maybe we'll try making more chicken dishes. The thing is, she'll pick out what she wants, be all excited about dinner, runs around the house asking when dinner is, and sets the table, then gets everyone to the table, then doesn't eat. I guess she just likes dinner time now because everyone's together.
I was thinking about those dietary shakes, because those are pretty sweet, too. I think I'll give those a try. Thanks for the suggetions. :)
I'll try cutting up her food. She really likes chicken, so maybe we'll try making more chicken dishes. The thing is, she'll pick out what she wants, be all excited about dinner, runs around the house asking when dinner is, and sets the table, then gets everyone to the table, then doesn't eat. I guess she just likes dinner time now because everyone's together.
I was thinking about those dietary shakes, because those are pretty sweet, too. I think I'll give those a try. Thanks for the suggetions. :)
Make your own shakes with Carnation instant breakfast.
i've tasted ensure,boost,they are yukky.
SnowyLynne
i've tasted ensure,boost,they are yukky.
SnowyLynne
Nana and Papa went to her doctor one time, and they were there so long that the doctor gave them some Ensure shakes. They liked them and bought some of their own. But that was months ago. I told Papa about the shake idea, and he went to the store and forgot to get them. Maybe next time. She ate her dinner tonight, though!
Carnation is goooood!
Carnation is goooood!
The time will come when anything she'll eat is ok.Even just ice cream.
SnowyLynne
SnowyLynne
What do you mean?
Her appetite will go,refuse to eat,or she won't be able to swallow towards the end.Some people have feeding tubes inserted,thinking it gives them a better life,but it doesn't,it just prolongs death,can cause undo infections,they get clogged up then have to be reinserted with a new tube.My way of thinking is NOT the way I would want to end life.
SnowyLynne
SnowyLynne
Hi Pixie - Hi Snowy,
Good topic. Sounds kind of dahhh but depending how little your loved one is eating - they may allow you to spoon feed them. Dad likes any kind of attention. He fusses with his shoe laces to get someone to touch him. He loves it if I help him adjust his socks or lotion his dry skin. :) I "find" spots on his arms that "need" lotion too. He loves it. Glad Nanna likes the shakes. They do sell those in a large container of dry powder - that is probably the least expensive way to get them. Dad likes shakes too.
Does Nanna like cereal ? Some cereals are good "finger food" Nanna might like to munch those even w/o milk. Healthy snack and EASY.
AlwaysRosie
Psalms 139
Good topic. Sounds kind of dahhh but depending how little your loved one is eating - they may allow you to spoon feed them. Dad likes any kind of attention. He fusses with his shoe laces to get someone to touch him. He loves it if I help him adjust his socks or lotion his dry skin. :) I "find" spots on his arms that "need" lotion too. He loves it. Glad Nanna likes the shakes. They do sell those in a large container of dry powder - that is probably the least expensive way to get them. Dad likes shakes too.
Does Nanna like cereal ? Some cereals are good "finger food" Nanna might like to munch those even w/o milk. Healthy snack and EASY.
AlwaysRosie
Psalms 139
I don't think she'd let us feed her. Her favorite thing to eat is peanut butter and banana sandwiches. I swear, she's had one everyday for lunch for the past 61 years. I'm not sure about cereals. Most of the foods she seems to like now a days are sweet. For Christmas, my mom bought a few tins of chocolate covered caramel covered popcorn.
I'm thinking she might just not feel hungry at night, because when I go over for lunch she's always eating her sandwich.
I'm thinking she might just not feel hungry at night, because when I go over for lunch she's always eating her sandwich.
PB and Bananas are excellant!!! (hmmmm soft and sweet) a little milk w/that sandwich and she has a complete protein
AlwaysRosie
Psalms 139
AlwaysRosie
Psalms 139
Yep. :)
Spoon feeding is great,but when the can't swallow anymore all that will happen is aspirating the food,then getting pneumonia...........
SnowyLynne
SnowyLynne
Hello everyone.
I am glad that I saw this. My elder sister has early dementia,she is 55 now but was diagnosed about 4 years ago i think. She was always a very healthy eater but we have found that just lately she is only interested in sweets and cakes.
She is coming here tomorrow and I am not sure what to give her to eat. The Doctor has said as long as she is eating somthing then that is better than nothing,but she has realy started to lose weight. It's worrying.
Sue
I am glad that I saw this. My elder sister has early dementia,she is 55 now but was diagnosed about 4 years ago i think. She was always a very healthy eater but we have found that just lately she is only interested in sweets and cakes.
She is coming here tomorrow and I am not sure what to give her to eat. The Doctor has said as long as she is eating somthing then that is better than nothing,but she has realy started to lose weight. It's worrying.
Sue