My 85 year old Granny has been in hospice care since May 2018 after she was diagnosed with colon cancer. She pretty much doesn't eat anything and is down to 69 pounds, she may eat a couple of junior mints or some candy, but she won't eat any food. She just asked me yesterday for beer, do you think the hospice nurses will allow her to have beer? My concern is the alcohol interacting with her medications, but the beer would provide her with needed calories.
Has anyone else experienced this? Did you get the their requested beer/alcohol?
After phoning the hospice nurse and discussing it, we visited MIL with the needed supplies. It was ten in the morning.
MIL asked if she could finally have her drink. Although my wife initially disagreed (it was morning), she relented. I fixed MIL her bourbon and water and it made her very happy. It reminded her of better times with her husband.
For a couple of weeks after that I stopped every afternoon for her cocktail hour. When the staff got used to the idea I started leaving airplane bottles with the proper amount. We asked hospice to add it to the care plan so the staff could assist.
I supplied the airplane bottles, and started watering down the bourbon somewhat. I do not think she ever caught on. It was more the idea of keeping her routine.
I did not do this for my father when he was in hospice, but I probably should have. He talked about it and it would have made him happier. Daily would not have worked for him as he was a fall risk, but periodically could have been arranged. I think he would have been happier as drinking had been a big part of his life. With him I did not really understand that palliative care is for comfort, not healing.
Ask the nurse that comes to see her. I doubt there will be a problem. My guess is your Grandmother will not finish an entire beer anyway.
And if she is mobile I would not have her walking around after having the beer. I would give it to her while she is eating in her chair or at the table or even in bed.
And a personal note here when my Husband was on Hospice I did give him a beer, he used to home beer, and he had a few sips and pushed the glass towards my sister.
If the beer doesn't taste as good as Granny remembers, she just won't finish it.
At 69 pounds, I would imagine most, if not all, of her medications should be stopped anyway. She has to be suffering many major side-effects as she hasn't the body weight to support them.
I don't suppose the manufacturers of the medications would recommend that they be taken with alcohol, but if there is a serious interaction to worry about - and yes do check because the last thing you want to do is make her feel worse - then I'd query what good the medication is doing and see if you can't change that.
One caution, though. Don't be disappointed if, once you've brought the beer, nicely chilled, opened it with a flourish, and ceremoniously poured it into a slim glass for your grandmother, she doesn't after all drink it, let alone enjoy it. It may just be the idea that she liked and the reality doesn't match her memory of past pleasures. Should that happen, try other little treats - ask around the family about favourite dishes or brands of chocolate they remember.
Im sorry that you and your family are having to watch your g'ma waste away.
May God grant you peace on this journey.
Hugs!