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Eating alone can be depressing. Also, she could be depressed already, and maybe doesn't want to eat. You could try Meals on Wheels (local senior services). They not only deliver a meal, they are trained to visit and keep an eye out for the elder.

Many elders insist they want to remain on their own, but would actually thrive in assisted living, or by having in-home care for a few hours a day. This gives them a social outlet and in AL, they have meals prepared and people to eat with.

Absent outside help, you could try making sure she has easily prepared meals ready to go. She's not likely to cook for herself.
Good luck. This is very common.
Carol
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I kind of relate it to when we raised our children. If they ate one good meal a day, we didn't worry so much. My mother lives with us and most of the time she has a great appetite. But, some days she doesn't and on those days, if she eats that one meal, I feel like she will be okay. Also, my mother has AD and if you ask her if she's hungry, she might say no, but then she may eat a lot. Since you are thinking of moving her in with you, she will probably have a better appetite, because she won't be eating alone.
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When my mother lived at home by herself we got her Meals on Wheels. At first it worked but then I would go over and see lots of meals still in the frig that should have already been eaten. She would just forget to eat!!! Plus as much as I complained the food selection was very limited to what they served....I would buy her cooked chickens and she just wouldn't even see it in the frig......I ended up throwing away more food than she ate........Now she lives in a ALF and sometimes tells me that she hasn't eaten in days???? She just doesn't remember anymore......I guess its just part of the dementia!!
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Thank you carol, we have actually decided that mom might be better coming to live with us, I will better be able to help her and keep her on her meds plus be sure of what she is eating. Her dialysis nurse also got her into the social worker who will be seeing her weekly. I feel like things are going to be better.
Thank you
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heymomz,
You say that WE decided mom would be better off living with you.
Did you mean you and your mom both decided this would be the best solution? If mom was not included in making that decision I would encourage you to reconsider. Change is a lot more difficult for us older folks than most younger people realize. If depression is the root cause of her not eating well, then being forced to change her daily routine may open up a whole new can of worms that neither of you would want to have for lunch.
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Oh to NOT remember FOOD! Just another thing to look forward to getting old....
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My mom has no sense of time and when you tell her it's time to eat, she says she just did, even though it was hours ago. Memory loss is a big factor in why elderly don't eat. Another is not having someone to share the meal with. And some like my mom, can no longer fix a meal or know that it is time to eat. Have plenty of her snacks ready and available for her. If she doesn't have to think about the preparation, it might make her feel more like eating. You may be right to move her in with you at this point.
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I would really encourage you to make something you know she likes... and go eat with her. Eating alone is rather sad and she may just not feel hungry. Think about getting some meals delivered to her, she would be more prone to eating if it is already prepared... take care, J
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Having your Mom move in with you is commendable however please schedule regular time away for yourself so she doesn't get to dependent on you for everything and you burn out like so many of us have done. Good luck to you :)
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My mom eats less frequently than she use to and I think it is because her sense of smell and taste are going away as she gets older. When she does eat the main think she likes is sweets because she seems to be able to taste it but other foods have to be very spicy or strong for her to taste it. Another words it no longer tastes good so why eat.
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