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My 86 year old aunt with dementia in a nursing home is no longer eating. Recently she fell while trying to get out of bed and broke her leg. She had successful surgery to repair her leg but stopped eating pretty much when she was returned to the nursing home. If this is end of life I understand and will inquire about hospice. However, what if she is not eating due to her recent medical issues and not end of life? Should I ask about meds for her appetite? She is in her bed and not active at all because she can't tolerate it. She does take her medications with Boost, but that seems to be it.

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You are looking now at palliative care and Hospice care and end of life care.
The norm is eating less and moving less and sleeping more. If this is allowed to go on forever then one ends in the fetal position without speech of the ability to swallow. We nurses used to call it the "full circle" and indeed, it is the circle of life.
I would never force food or fluid on an elder in this condition. To what end? To add another day or two of this torment?
I would, were I you, speak with the MD now about Hospice care.
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Consider physical therapy to get her out of bed. Bring her her favorite meals, desserts, ice cream. Feed her yourself or hire people who will. Some places do not help the elderly to at least begin their meal with opening the milk carton, adding salt sugar or condiments, unpacking straw and silverware. See what happens when they bring her tray. Try to get some help for her at mealtime. I have heard good things about medication to improve eating. I would try it. My aunt with Parkinson's lived for many years with a feeding tube but I remember feeding her because she enjoyed it. So I think that is possible.
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It never hurts to request an evaluation from hospice, as it will be extra sets of eyes on her in her facility.
A fall in an elderly person often can be the beginning of the end, but only your aunts doctors and hospice can predict if that is the case.
So please call the hospice agency of your choice today to come out and do an evaluation. They are available 24/7.
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I went through the same thing with my mother age 84. She just forgot how to eat. Appetite was gone, despite appetite increasing medication wouldn’t eat her favorite foods at all. She forgot how to swallow and was totally living in her memories. Prayers are with you.
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