Anyone have experience with their aged parent not eating?
Mom has a parathyroid issue and as soon as she started taking the meds, she practically stopped eating. I know the meds are part of the problem.
She had surgery to remove the abnormal gland, but they couldn’t find it, so we are back to square one.
She’s in the hospital now and has been given appetite stimulant, but she still only eats probably less than a cup of food all day.
So far the stimulant doesn’t seem to be working and she has been prescribed twice the normal dose.
I am thinking she is at the end of life. They are sending her to a skilled nursing facility today for physical rehab, but if she continues not eating enough, she won’t have the strength.
We give her all soft food and ground up meats with gravies and things like that, and Ensure, but she has no interest in any of it.
I know we can’t force her to eat, but any other suggestions?
It could be that she just hurts! Or she's just tired of the whole mess. If she's younger than 65, she probably might be suffering depression at this point. These are things that you can look into with her doctor.
If she's not feeling well, Mom won't eat. You don't feel like eating when you don't feel good, do you? I would bet my money on depression for now.
Julie
I wish you well
TAke milkshake and put half of ensure in it whatever she wants.
Whey protein powder, fruit, ice, milk.. What ever sounds good to your mom is the way to go.
How about her favorite shake from her favorite fastfood place? What did you and mom do before all this happened? Reminisce.
Play her favorite music, and hold her hand and dance, dance like nobody is watching or listening. Let her sing if she can and wants to. Make it happy when you see her. And be happy when you give her her favorite shakes and things.
Hot fudge sundaes? Leave off the nuts. Banana splits?
Has she had a swallowing test done? Does it hurt her to swallow? I am probably way off track, usually am, but trying to think outside the box...
You know your mom, maybe you are right, maybe she is just tired, and she doesn't want to go through anymore surgeries, etc. spend quality time with her, and make it as fun as you possibly can.