My father has a very poor appetite and his he gets confused about the time of day. Today he went back to bed at 1:30pm after only being awake 5 hours. Now it is close to dinner time and I don't know if I should let him sleep or try to wake him. If I wake him he is very resistant to getting out of bed sometimes. He is 94 with dementia and I don't know how much I should push him. I worry that he is not getting enough to eat.
its gettin to the point where all food builds up in his dentures . get choked on it .
its sad , i fed him all day today maybe tmr he;ll try to feed himself .
i even put his pills in apple sauce or in with yoghurt . seems to help him swallow it better .
pureed food now on .
To me, as a former caregiver of a parent with a dementia, what you are experiencing seems to come with the territory, unfortunately. I would discuss the eating situation with a physician as there are things you can have your dad take to incease his appetite-if he is not eating. Are you sure that he is not having a problem with his digestion-or something, he may not able to communicate? This situation can be checked as well. Something like ensure is a good suppliment in the meantime. Staying dehydrated is also very important.
If you can arrange for your dad to have meals at certain times-he perhaps will get into the habit/ routine of doing this.
Remember, the tables have turned, and you are like the parent, and your dad has somewhat regressed-sad, but it happens.
My Mom went from having whole foods to pureed foods, as she lost her ability to eat-or even know how to eat, and eventually she had to be fed.
Good luck!
Hap
Caregivers who are dealing with Alzheimer's or Dementia disease need some extra training and support that is not required when dealing with physical disabilities. I urge you to get in touch with the Alzheimer's Association and check if there is a Caregivers Support group in your area. You'd be surprised at solutions they have found to make your caregiving manageable--if not easier.
www.alz.org
my dad will go to bed about 9 pm sometimes 11 pm and sleeps till noon ! i have woke him up early am saying its bfasttime , he whines i wanna sleep more . so i let him sleep . cuz if i dont im gonnahear him whine and mumble jumble and it ruins his day and mine .
just as long as he eats whenever and drinks plenty of fluid while he s awake he should be ok . few times he would wak eup at 2 am im hungry waaaaa , i d fix him his bfast then .
eat at any times ofthe hours should be ok .