My mother has advanced Alzheimer's and is losing weight quickly. I've heard of synthetic cannabis--does it work? Are there other options for improving appetite?
Loss of appetite is common, but so is loss of the ability to taste food. Older folks and those with dementia often have no more than 10% of their taste buds still working. Some meds may also add to the loss of appetite and there are few options available for increasing that desire to eat.
Breakfast can often be the best meal of the day because they are fresh and their mind is at its best. Feed her what she will eat, but make the calories count. No garbage food unless that's all she will eat. My dad wouldn't eat much for dinner, but I'd make him eggs and toast with jam to start with, followed by cottage cheese with cold peaches, and an Ensure Plus to wash it down with.
Since taste doesn't work often, experiment with textures and temperatures. Dad liked the cold sweetness of the peach, texture of the cottage cheese,and the colors were exciting. Make food interesting.
Also consider nose spices because that can be as much a part of flavor as what is in the mouth. Cinnamon just smells good, as does clove, allspice, smoke seasonings, vinegars, garlic, onion, etc. Get that "taste" in there anyway you can.
And when you find foods they like, keep making them. One good thing about dementia is that they really don't get bored with the same thing because they don't remember what they had yesterday.
Also keep in mind however, that losing weight is a part of the body shutting down. It's just a part of it. Advanced dementia has common characteristics and losing appetite and losing weight are part of heading towards the end. Enjoy your mom's company as much as you can while you can.
I also forgot to say that you may even end up adding spices to the point where it is way too much for you. If she eats it, don't worry about it. Just make sure that the spices you add don't add to other medical problems as hot peppers and such might add to or cause indigestion or reflux issues.
Breakfast can often be the best meal of the day because they are fresh and their mind is at its best. Feed her what she will eat, but make the calories count. No garbage food unless that's all she will eat. My dad wouldn't eat much for dinner, but I'd make him eggs and toast with jam to start with, followed by cottage cheese with cold peaches, and an Ensure Plus to wash it down with.
Since taste doesn't work often, experiment with textures and temperatures. Dad liked the cold sweetness of the peach, texture of the cottage cheese,and the colors were exciting. Make food interesting.
Also consider nose spices because that can be as much a part of flavor as what is in the mouth. Cinnamon just smells good, as does clove, allspice, smoke seasonings, vinegars, garlic, onion, etc. Get that "taste" in there anyway you can.
And when you find foods they like, keep making them. One good thing about dementia is that they really don't get bored with the same thing because they don't remember what they had yesterday.
Also keep in mind however, that losing weight is a part of the body shutting down. It's just a part of it. Advanced dementia has common characteristics and losing appetite and losing weight are part of heading towards the end. Enjoy your mom's company as much as you can while you can.