Rusty maybe there is an appetite stimulate for people? Maybe the doctor or pharmacist would know?

Rusty - not sure if your doctor has given you much info on diet and kidney disease - but there is plenty of info online.

I know that when a person doesn't feel well - the last thing they want to do it eat. How old is your mom? As much as we want and as hard as we try - some thing we can't fix. Do as much research as possible and I hope you find the answer.

I know you have to watch protein intake with kidney disease - but, sadly, that's about the extent of my knowledge. :0(

I have a question, at the moment there are no long term beds available in any home around me. It looks like mom will be with me a long time still. she has gone from 124 pounds since Aug to 87 -90 pounds. She is now constantly drinking and I think it's the kidney diesese, but I can't get her to eat much of anything. I've tried everything, Her tastes have changed and when she likes something like cinn , flavored oatmeal she will eat at the most 3 to 5 tsp. i'm giving her Ensure powered so I can mix it myself with milk, ice cream, eggs . Any idea what I can do to get some calories into her? I'm running out of ideas. I worked in the kitchen in a nursing home many years ago but I can't remember what they did, I know grape juice was one thing . Help please. Hospice says its just her body is shutting down. But I can't let her starve to death that would kill me. Also, My maternal grandfather died in November, my dad Dec 4, my paternal grandmom Dec 26 , my MIL dec 28 my maternal grandmom Jan 2. I'm so nervous that I'm going to loode my mom during the holidays too. I'm downright scared and i'm 61 and should be capable of taking this on the chin,

Thank you Codger, I worked in a nursing home many years ago and saw a lot of things happen. I am against putting her in a home here because I do not know the reputations of them. She was in one in Tn that was fantastic and I wouldn't have moved her but, when we moved after our house burning I wasn't goiong to leave her in a state all by herself. She has alzhiemers and deaf so you never know what she is going to say. Thank you for caring.

We are in the Midwest. We have a Senior Van that will pick up and deliver and my MIL 'complains' that is takes too long and is too bumpy, etc., etc., etc.

senior life is an agnecy in pa and wash.it is free for anyone on medacaid. or self pay but i understand the cost is small.
go on line to SENIOR LIFE

Is it free or is it self pay? I have never hear of it either - is it local to your area?

What is Senior Life? They actually come to your house to pick your husband up n to your house too for that is amazing.

I thank God every day since Senior Life came into my life.


They are always there when I need them. They pick my husband 3 days a week and take him to adult daycare. If I have an appointment they will send someone to stay with him.

They are truely a Blessing.

Just a quick update - my MIL just came in to thank me for the groceries and I told her your welcome and hugged her. She starting crying. It didn't change my mind. I know this MUST happen. I can't do it anymore. I told her 'it will be all right - you will see.' What else can I say? I know I can't continue. It will just me more of the same. I can only pray that she adjusts and will allow us to visit her and will try to be happy in her new home. She isn't going to prison. She is just changing addresses and care givers. We are still her family. That won't change. Am I being hard hearted?

Not sure how to find your posts. Feeling a bit brain dead . . . . .

Lildeb, you are absolutely correct. I've said it before on this forum that the system is stacked against the middle class. If you're uber rich, no problems. If you're poor, you got Medicaid but middle class people are forced to become destitute in order to get care they may need. That's just wrong.

I believe that this is where we all may need to write up some kind of petition to our Congress or someone in higher power to help those people who are in the middle income bracket. To NOT have to wait until we have to lose all our assets and the family member's assets for the person we are taking care of due to an illness. That way we don;t have to soley rely on the govenment and state funds. If we could get cheaper help but not cheaper quality of services for the person we are taking care and that way we could get a breather break. Tons of benefits that the state and govt would achieve by helping mid class for ex: Lower burn-outs, healthier caregivers, lower homicidies incedence,and better quality of care for the person with Alzheimer's illness.

Very impressive & effective tips for caregiver people.

Tips are very useful for them & can help to increase their best caregiver services.