My mother is 86 and has alzheimer's. Lately, she doesn't want to eat what I give her, even though I give her choices. She either says that she isn't hungry or that I give her too much. She leaves what I give her and then sneaks other food into her room when she thinks I am not looking. I don't care what she eats, as long as she eats something, but it's rather annoying because it's getting to be quite a battle. I get that she isn't
herself anymore-I guess I just needed to vent. Anybody else have food issues and what do you do about it?
We solved this by no longer giving her a choice. She is just served something. Most of the time she eats it. Although lately she is eating less too - and snacking more. Luckily, she snacks on fruit and I don't care how much she eats (except that I often go for an apple and they're gone - lol).
We do have to keep any sweets out of reach or she's eat them until they are gone.
I find things that she likes and that have nutrition. She eats smaller meals/snacks. I prefer this because she has something on her stomach all day. She rarely eats a big meal anymore.
Take note of what your Mom "sneaks" to her room. If it is good for her, buy those things and make them available to her.
Also, It may be more of a behavioral issue than an eating issue. It could be that she wants "control" over the times when she eats or wants to pick out those things herself...who knows! Just have things in the refrigerator that she can access easily. Limit the "goodies" that have less nutritional value. I also put fruit and other snacks on the counter where Mom can reach them. I make milk shakes and add fruit and fiber (flax) powder. Yogurt is a great snack too.
It is good that she is eating.