My mother eats cookies and snacks in bed at night. I don’t think it’s a good idea for her to do this, what can I do to stop it?

Is your mother losing weight?

Why do you think that this is a problem if the doctor says that it's okay?

As folks age, their taste buds change. I'm told that the only thing they can taste is sweet. It was certainly true of my mom.

Unless the crumbs are attracting vermin, I think you should offer healthy foods and let her eat what she wants otherwise.

If you don't get to eat your dessert first when you're 96 then when do you?

Seriously, let your mother please herself.

I guess it only matters if she is suffering ill effects from the cookies and snacks. My mom gets dizzy if she eats too many sweets because of her blood sugar levels. What if your mother's deserts were to have less and less sugar and some healthy ingredients, such as nuts and fruit? She might get used to not having so much sugar.

I think I would not like the crumbs in the bed.

If her doctor says it's fine, then I would be happy that my LO was enjoying herself as she approaches 100 years. I think that seniors should eat what they like, unless there is some compelling medical reason not to.

My mother, from age 87, did the same thing when she was at home, with 24/7 caregivers. Crackers, cookies, ice cream and caramel hard candies. Up to 10 pm at night. And, yes, crumbs everywhere. And, yes, hardly ate anything at her regular meals.

She has now been in a nursing home for 18 months and the food is actually quite good with enough choices, and she eats much better at meals, but still we have a big plastic bin for her to keep in her room, in the closet, that we keep stocked with all her favorite snacks....individually wrapped if we can find kiddie packs.

Only thing I would do is try to get her to eat lightly salted crackers and cookies that are not too high in sugar. But, I suggest that you do not go the sugar-free route because the sorbitol can cause horrid gastro issues for some people.

I agree with the others who responded to you. If her doctor says it's fine, and if she is not losing weight, then just make sure she has a full blood panel test every 3 months.....and ask the doctor to prescribe whatever vitamin supplements are good for someone who won't eat a balanced diet. Most likely, insurance will say no, and you will have the pay for over-the-counter vitamins (only time I ever got it through insurance was for potassium). So, the prescription is just so that you can show, if ever necessary, that a doctor prescribed the vitamins and also, if you itemize medical expenses, you can claim the cost of the OTC vitamins on her tax return because you have a prescription. Not that it will matter, necessarily, to itemize her medical expenses; all depends on whole financial picture. But I always do it, even for 2018 when the standard deduction rose to $12,000 for single person (my mother).

Sweets are a immediate satisfaction. Like said when you lose you sense of taste, which Dementia patient do, sugar and salt they still can taste. Think about it, do u eat things that don't taste good. Why should Mom.

Do you know the first sign of Dementia is losing your sense of smell and taste.

Let her be. She is 96 with Dementia. Let her live her life doing what she wants.

I used to drink Slimfast in a can. I would put it in the freezer for a couple of hours still it thickened up. Was like a milkshake and their Choc was good. Maybe you can do that with Ensure.

My dear friend's mother, in the last year or so of her life ate barely any "real ' food, but kept her nightstand drawer packed with those delicious Lindt chocolate truffles. She ate a ton, her daughter never knew how many, but honestly? At age 90 and having lived a hard, long life as a farmer's wife, who cared if 90% of her diet was chocolate.

Everyone who visited her in the NH knew to bring a bag or ten--and she'd add them to her stash.

I hope when I'm, 93 my family keeps me well stocked with those.

I agree with the idea of letting your mom have whatever she wants.

Heck, I eat snacks in bed every single night. It might not be good for me, but it's my way of coping with being my mom's 24/7 caregiver.

Near the end my Luz would eat less than I felt she should , so I let her eat whatever she wanted and she was happy. some of the food that she would not eat required her to chew them more, like meats and some vegetables. Even though she would chew food for up to ten minutes per bite, including mashed potatoes.
She did lose weight but, for us, that was a good thing. She got down to almost 135 pound and I could handle her better at that weight.
I would agree that sugar free doods might be best along with a multivitamin. You may have to crush the vitamin and mix it with pudding or ice cream.

At 96 years old, let her have what she wants.

She's 96. I get it may be frustrating for you. But. Maybe just leave it alone. And let her eat what she wants, when she wants.

Most nights I wake up between 1 - 3:00am. Most nights - when this happens - I tippy toe to the kitchen and get 2 chocolate chip cookies and a glass of milk. I’m 57.

Sometimes, I wonder if my subconscious is waking me up just because I love my cookies and milk - all by myself, as everyone else sleeps - so very, very much. It really is the best part of my day - some days.

I sure hope that if I make it to 96 - which I kinda doubt - but if I do, I sure hope no one tries to stop me. From my cookies and milk, that is.

Seriously, at her age - what is it about this that bothers you so much?

Rainmom. Too funny. Enjoy your cookies and milk!!! Even when you're 96!

She's 96, what exactly are you concerned about?

I would let her eat what she wants and even make some nice fruity desserts so she is getting fiber.

Gummy vitamins daily with a probiotic and she will have the nutrition she needs.

What you are facing is not uncommon. As we age the less we use up energy, therefore, we eat less. Sugary snacks sets off the "feel good" hormones and whether it is physical or emotional the brain sends signals telling us "we want/need sugar" and off we go looking for something sweet.

Moreover, our tastebuds change as we age and if a person has Alz/dementia than their tastebuds really change causing them to not like old favorite foods and want something with a stronger taste such as sweet and/or salty snacks.

My mother is 75 with VaD. I let her eat what she wants for the most part, besides I have bigger problems to deal with than fight or worry about what she eats is healthy or not.

What I am telling you is one, you can't stop nature and two, save your energy to use on something else.


Just my 2 cents!

I occasionally go into the kitchen for half a peanut butter sandwich an a glass of milk. I find it helps to get me back to sleep.

Don't stop it. Keep snacks handy maybe ones that don't make lots of crumbs.