Not seeming to gain weight. Any suggestions?

There's 240 calories in 1 Boost, so that's 720 calories there, plus 150 calories from yoghurt, another 150 or so from oatmeal, and 'something' for dinner which you'd have to calculate the calories for, but basically, the woman is eating 1000 calories w/o dinner, which is what a person LOSING weight would strive to eat. Unless she's eating 1000 calories for dinner, she's on a weight loss diet. Boost is not a good source of nutrition and should not be used to replace food, but as a snack in ADDITION to 3 high calorie (or at least normal calorie) meals per day. Boost also makes a product called Very High Calorie Boost which contains 530 calories in one 8 oz container. This product is what's recommended for an elder to use to help MAINTAIN their weight, or to gain weight in rare instances. Not regular Boost.

You should start feeding your mother full fat ice cream shakes made with full fat milk, high calorie meals like a chicken pot pie from Boston Market and things of that nature that are LOADED with calories if you want to see her gain weight. These foods are what was suggested to my DH when he needed to gain weight after a triple bypass surgery in 2020. High fat/high calorie foods for a few months until he gained back some weight he'd rapidly lost; same thing after his liver transplant; supplemented with VHCB (very high calorie Boost which tastes like chalk). What she's eating now is what dieters eat to lose weight.

If she's eating high sugar content and does not have diabetes, I wouldn't worry about it b/c a person with dementia loves sweets, so she'd likely be amenable to milkshakes.

With Parkinsons and dementia going on, she could be approaching end of life now which would cause her to lose weight no matter how much she eats. That could also be what's happening IF you feed her appropriately, IF she agrees to eat what you give her, and IF she continues to lose weight or not gain weight with a very high calorie diet. Then you may want to get a hospice evaluation going forward.

Good luck

Later stage Parkinson's patients often lose weight. The whole process of digestion slows down in Parkinson's and the Parkinson's patient often has little appetite. The sense of smell can also be diminished and thus food may not be as appealing as before. Small frequent eating episodes may help because the person can feel full very quickly. Parkinson's patient here commenting...

How old is your mom? My mom started losing her appetite as she aged.

How far along is her Parkinson’s disease. My mom suffered with tremors and lack of strength due to her Parkinson’s disease.

I had to cut everything very small for her. She still only took a few bites. She would eat a bit of ice cream. She drank ensure sometimes.

it all depends on her bowel movements as well -- is she losing it all, when she goes to the bathroom? liquid bowel movements? then her body isn't absorbing well the food.

as much as possible, it's good to eat yummy, scrumptious, REAL food, with good nutrients. (not packaged protein shakes, bottled food, bottled drinks, etc.) -- but real protein (vegetables also have protein). if she has trouble swallowing, it can be boiled, pureed, made softer.

it also helps to eat with company. no one feels like eating much when they're alone. eating together with another person also eating, is more enjoyable.

every situation (and causes for the situation) is different.
...if my elderly LO knows there's a yummy dessert waiting after finishing the plate, the speed of eating increases by 1,000,000,000,000.
(i'm like that too 🙂).

What health conditions does your mother have that could be impacting her weight? What does her doctor say about it?

Just learned that there is a diagnostic condition known as “geriatric failure to thrive”.

I was familiar with PEDIATRIC FTT, but the designation on my LO’s Death Certificate was a new one to me. She ate about 50% of her pulverized meals + frequent servings of extra nutritious supplements right up until her death, but definitely did not maintain anything like her typical weight.

Have you asked her medical care person about your concerns?

Ask her doctor to order labwork. Does she have
thyroid problems?
My mom lost 17lbs after a hospital/rehab fiasco in April 2021 & her tsh was low, wasn't gaining weight. Once her doctor lowered the levothyroxine dose she started to gain some weight.

I want to share that the fact that my body's thin frame comes from my German maternal side that is and was tall and thin. All my weight goes to the waist, the visceral danger zone, while most of my figure is thin 5.7 and around 115 lbs. I'd like to gain more overall weight, but I have prediabetes for Type II diabetes, also inherited, and have to watch the carbs, refined products and cane sugar and relevant sweets in my diet. Otherwise, very healthy and fit at 67.

Digestive enzymes may be reduced due to age or illness. If food is not well digested, there is unlikely to be weight gain no matter what is eaten. Ask doctor about testing for enzymes.

Dear Daughter 3, The Boost high calorie is good. It is meant to be a supplement/ snack. Make every bite count by adding calories with fat: butter/margarine, cream, cheese. An example: Her oatmeal can be made with whole milk instead of water and add some butter or margarine melted into the hot cereal. Get full fat yogurt/ cottage cheese, use cream soups and stir in baby food meats for more protein. Peanut butter powder or powdered milk will add extra protein to shakes and sauces. The pasta dishes can have sauce with added cheese, chopped hard cooked eggs, fine ground cooked beef/ or baby food meat. Butter/margaine can be put in this also.

We all experience muscle loss (sarcopenia) as we age. Exercise and protein are helpful to maintain muscle. Not sure if your mother will be able to exercise, but you can get more protein into her diet.

Again, make every bite count for higher calories. Aim for 3 meals and 2-3 snacks daily. Good luck.