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Well first you have to figure out why she doesn't want to eat.

Has she lost the desire for food? That might be an end of life sign.

Is she having trouble chewing her food? That could be remedied with a trip to the dentist or denturist, or by changing to a softer diet.

Is she having trouble swallowing or is she choking? She may need to be evaluated for dysphagia.

Is she constipated or does she have other stomach or bowel complaints? These too can be treated.

I just finished reading an interesting article that Alzheimer's patients eat significantly more when food is served on red dinnerware... it is certainly worth trying! There are also nutritional supplements like ensure or boost that can up her calorie intake, and many people enjoy smoothies. There are lots of threads on the site dealing with this problem, so keep posting and reading.
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You call Hospice. Not eating may be an end sign.
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I agree, sounds like the end stage of dying has started. Please don't force food or fluids on her. It will make a peaceful process very painful. Don't be afraid, but cherish every minute you have with your Mom. Tell her how you love her and everything she has done for you. If this is the end stage soon in about 3 weeks she will stop drinking fluids, then the end will be a few days to a week. Hospice really helps, emotionally, physical, mentally. My heart goes out to you and your Mom. you are in my prayers.
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My husband does not want to shave, brush his teeth or shower. I try talking him into it but that doen't help. We have help one day a week and he will clean up for her but that is just one time a week. She doesn't even have to coax him either. I wish I could afford her twice a week but we can't
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sandraO, I see that with my Dad and his caregiver. I can remind Dad until I am blue in the face to do something and he will ignore it.... but the caregiver can ask him to do the same thing and he will oblige.
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if a guy isnt trying to get close to a gal , he isnt likely to concern himself much with hiegene . daily showers probably havent been happening except for the last 50 yrs of civilization . houses didnt heat well . a weekly shower was more realistic .
extremely old people are always chilled and arent too hip to getting wet if they can avoid it . half the crap weve been taught in schools was designed to sell products . breakfast cereal for one . breakfast might be good timing for some people but the importance of breakfast , its been proven , was and is a misinformation campaign by big cereal .
screw societys expectations is what im saying and listen to your own body .
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I agree with cwillie, chewiemom. It makes a big difference WHY she has stopped eating. I think discussing this with her doctor and perhaps having her examined would be a good idea. Once you have an understanding of what is going on in her body then you can work on what, if anything, you can do to encourage her to eat.
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