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Marciaann72 Asked February 2020

Dementia & appetite?

Mom has no appetite and will eat only a few things. She gets obsessed about one thing, chicken soup, and then the next day doesn’t like it. Suggestions on how to get her to eat? I give her Ensure so that she has some nutrition.

Teeavilnor Feb 2020
Yes I know, my Mother has LBD, only wants French Toast Sticks and bananas for breakfast. It’s been 3 months now. Who cares she’s 91 let her eat whatever.

EllensOnly Feb 2020
My mother's PCP wanted her to eat foods richer in potassium.  We struggled for a while and then I bought her Hershey Kisses - Dark Chocolate with Almonds.  "Mom the Dr says you can have 12 of these a day"  Don't think she every ate all 12 but at least she got a few Almonds.

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redsnappa7764 Feb 2020
My mother is 84 and has had dementia for about a year now. When she was in rehab, they gave her Mirtazapine for depression and appetite. It has really helped her. She takes 7.5 mg at night. Good luck and God Bless. It's a very rough journey.

dazednconfused Feb 2020
My mom doesn't have dementia but like others here she will go through "phases" of what she likes. Every time we go to the doctors the doc looks at me like why aren't you feeding her more. I tell the Dr. it's because she eats what she wants and orders (she is in ALF). I did find something that she has taken to lately - Lunchables! I found them at our local store at 10 for $10. Mom also loves a bargain!. So I tried them out and she thinks they are great to have on hand for midnight snacks when she can't sleep. I think it is because they come in small bite size pieces and she doesn't feel overwhelmed.
Just this morning we had a doctors appt for her and the doc said she is satisfied with mom's weight now. Whew...for now!

Taarna Feb 2020
There are medications to "create hunger" that the doctor can prescribe. Participating in meals together always got my gram to eat more. As long as you offer a variety of foods she likes - in small portions - she should get a balanced diet. Offer Ensure drinks and snack bars between meals to boost her nutrition.

Constipation can make people feel full and less hungry. Make sure she is getting plenty of water, fiber (fruits and veggies are better than supplements), and exercise.

GAinPA Feb 2020
I would put a ring of broken chocolate bars and Fruit and Fiber bars (cut in bite size pieces) on a small paper plate within arm’s reach of my MIL. She also enjoyed peach flavored Snapple.

sanhoro12 Feb 2020
You can try eating with her. You take a morsel into your mouth and then giving her one to eat.

I've known a couple of elderly women like that. They won't eat unless their favorite son or daughter is with them.

I used to bring her McDonald's apple turnover and fries to get her to eat a little.

You might try something that has a sweet sauce or flavoring. I used to bring carryout sweet and sour chicken to the nursing home. A bbq chicken sandwich might work.

Teeavilnor Feb 2020
Yes my mom only wants French toast sticks and bananas for breakfast. This started a few weeks ago. I try to switch it up but she just leaves it there only a couple bites. She’s 91 I give her what she likes what’s the harm.

wenmal Feb 2020
My mom doesn't have dementia but yet sort of does the same thing. She wants the same thing over and over then goes on strike about it. I just try to rotate the favorites so she doesn't tire of them as fast. Like others have said food is food at this point. And guess what her favorite is? Chicken soup! Every night she want 1/2 sandwich on her bedside table. Most mornings I throw it away. But if I conveniently forget, she reminds me and insists. So I decided not to let it make me crazy and jut do it.

desiretolive1 Feb 2020
Consult medical doctor,he can prescribe her some thing to improve her Appetite.

jan135 Feb 2020
My mom loves her sweets and ice cream. She seems to want food from her childhood, mushy peas, mashed potatoes.
I honestly don’t worry trying to get her to eat what she doesn’t want.
Invisible Feb 2020
Maybe because they are easier to eat. My father had the appetite but when we went to the hospital for UTI, they decided he was having a swallowing problem (said he was "packing food") which dumbfounded us. Switched him to a mashed food diet (pureed) and thickened liquids.
cwillie Feb 2020
Try keeping portions small and instead of focusing on three squares have little snacks available throughout the day. At this point any food is good food so don't worry too much about a balanced diet either, apple pie a la mode has both fruit and dairy 😉

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