My mother is losing weight. She claims she is eating and even puts on a show to make me think she is but the scales tell a different story. She is starting to look frail. She is still fairly independent but am not with her 24/7 to watch.
Your profile says you're taking care of your mom at your home but not what her condition is, so, what medical conditions does she have? Not all diets are appropriate for all patients if she has for example diabetes, heart issues, kidney problems, etc. Depending on her health, recommending a diet may also need approval of her doctor.
That said, l can give you some general guidelines. No woman should probably eating less than 1200 calories a day, as less than that makes it difficult to get proper nutrition. If your mom is losing weight, WHATEVER she's eating isn't enough. And the type and quality of calories are more important than just the calorie count.
Folks we need to gain weight need to be eating nutrient dense calories. Foods with concentrated nutrition. High in digestible protein such as pea powder and whey, and quality whole grains with a reasonable amount of higher calorie vegetables (winter squashes, olives, root onion, corn, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, carrots) and fruits (bananas, oranges, apples, pears). Dairy and eggs are okay if not allergic. Swear off the whites foods (sugar, flour, rice) and don't overserve low cal veggies (green salad, celery, peppers, mushrooms) and fruits (peaches, nectarines, plums, berries, melon). High good fat diet: olive oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil and some butter if desired), no hydrogenated or trans fats or diet margarine. This isn't a comprehensive list but I think you can get the idea.
Sometimes appetite is decreased and a vicious circle without enough nutrition. Is she getting a quality multi vitamin mineral? Increased B vitamins will often increase appetite. Not always not without the doctor's approval.
"Frailty" can also be caused by or from a loss of muscle mass that can occur with less activity. Hauling one's body around is a form of weight bearing exercise, which helps create or maintain muscle mass. Less activity leads to decreased muscle mass, which leads to less hunger, less nutrition, more fatigue, more lethargy, wasting muscle mass and frailty. Again with doctors approval, maybe chair yoga or modified lifting of 2 or 3 pound weights.
My mom just passed in January at 94 and a half. She started showing signs of weight loss for last 2 years, complicated by a new onset heart problem. I gave her either Ensure (250 cal) or Ensure Plus (350 cal) always once and sometimes twice a day. In between meals. She enjoyed it and it didn't fill her up to the point where she didn't is your next meal.
This is all conjecture without knowing her medical condition so please respond and more relevant information can be given. I am a nutritionist so please feel free to ask any questions you may have.
My mom is 81. Over the last year and a half she has lost a lot of weight. She is now only 98lds, down from 135/135. She is only 5'1 now. She has trouble chewing some foods because she has mostly just her front teeth and no dental coverage with her not so wonderful Humana Gold insurance. She nibbles throughout the day, well when she isn't sleeping which is too often. She has no energy and no desire to anything for exercise as her legs tire quickly. All her labs come back ok as well. My sister lives with her and dad as he requires 24/7 care and is wheelchair bound. Sis is a good cook and tries to make then nutritional meals, dad eats fine, mom, not so much. She takes a couple of bites and is full. The doctor said let her eat anything she wants with regards to snacks and desserts. Still she continues to lose weight. Sis does give her and dad both ensure, but mom says nothing tastes good anymore. Is this a sign of the end of days? We are so worried.
My aunt, 86, is living independently in a senior complex. She has lost a lot of weight in the last year (size 16 to size 4) and is looking frail, too. She prepares her own breakfast and snacks and joins the other residents, in the dining hall, for lunch and dinner. She says that she eats her meals unless the meat is too difficult to chew. When I took her to the doctor to find the reason for the weightloss, she was put through lots of blood work to find almost everything normal. One of the levels was a bit off revealing a beginning breakdown in the body. The doctor wanted to put her through a scanning process with injected dye. Because she is allergic to seafood, it would have been a hospital procedure. The doctor and I decided against it as my aunt is mentally challenged, functioning as an eight year old, and doesn't understand some things. The doc said that because of chewing/swallowing difficulties, (eating less) this situation does happen so she suggested adding a liquid supplement to her diet. She has been enjoying her daily "milkshakes" and bragging about getting extra treats each day. Her newest clothes don't appear to be hanging off of her after the last 3 months so I'm hoping that this has stabilized her. Although frail looking and walking with a cane, she maintains her apartment, attends activities and assists at the nursing home daily which is 2 buildings down the street. And, she's happy. She has a follow up appointment Thursday, so we'll see if the weight has stabilized.
Most everyone I've known who's lived to an advanced age became thinner and ate less. Right now, I have two aunts, both in their early 90s, who were always big women (200 lbs+). They both lost a good bit of weight when they were in their 80s. I'd guess they each don't weigh anymore than 150 or so now. I think it's a natural part of aging. They're mentally sharp, pretty spry and healthy for their age, and just not as hungry at mealtimes as they once were. If you think about it, as you slow down, your body is doing less and therefore needs less fuel. So many aspects of aging are now diagnosed as conditions or diseases (often with expensive and invasive tests). Before you know it, you have a box full of pills to swallow everyday and you're spending 2-3 days a week in a doctor's office. We have a really twisted attitude towards aging in this country.
lawson - just following up: I noticed you have neither posted any answers to outstanding queries, nor posted any additional questions. How's it going with your mom; are you managing all right?
In regard to liquid supplements, I recommend Carnation Instant Breakfast. It's cheaper - although you do have to use milk - and it tastes a lot better than other products.
Then she is not consuming enough calories. You do not say how much she weighs, but if it is under 125 lbs., then she needs as many calories as she can eat per day. At this age, calories (the non-sugar kind) are very important and if you cannot see her eat, assume she has no appetite to eat and is not. She probably is also dehydrated. Get her some needed help, move in with her, or she will continue to decline. Also have her doctor notified. This is typical of elderly with eating improperly. I'm a nurse, and I have to sometimes force (greatly encourage and eat with him) my 87 yr. old husband to eat and drink water. Keep us posted on what you decide to do.
I am helping in the aid of my best friends mother ( My Bestfriend Past away last May ) and she 87 yrs old, she fell back in February 2015 and broke her collar bone, she spent 3 weeks in the hospital, and 2 months in a rehab. In the rehab she went completely down hill. We got her back home, and she no longer can do Anything Herself ! We have to change her diapers, Bath her, Feed Her, Etc....... She has lost so much weight , my guess she is 85 pound soak and wet. What Can We Do For Her ? P.s. A very concerned Loved One.
jackbird, it all depends on the person's height and bone structure, and if that person is active or not. What would be the best weight for one person might not be the best for another. Let the person's doctor be your best guide.
There are various calorie calculators on line, in my opinion the more detailed the survey the better the answers. I liked the healthy body calculator at dietitian, but you could try several and decide which makes sense for you.
That said, l can give you some general guidelines. No woman should probably eating less than 1200 calories a day, as less than that makes it difficult to get proper nutrition. If your mom is losing weight, WHATEVER she's eating isn't enough. And the type and quality of calories are more important than just the calorie count.
Folks we need to gain weight need to be eating nutrient dense calories. Foods with concentrated nutrition. High in digestible protein such as pea powder and whey, and quality whole grains with a reasonable amount of higher calorie vegetables (winter squashes, olives, root onion, corn, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, carrots) and fruits (bananas, oranges, apples, pears). Dairy and eggs are okay if not allergic. Swear off the whites foods (sugar, flour, rice) and don't overserve low cal veggies (green salad, celery, peppers, mushrooms) and fruits (peaches, nectarines, plums, berries, melon). High good fat diet: olive oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil and some butter if desired), no hydrogenated or trans fats or diet margarine. This isn't a comprehensive list but I think you can get the idea.
Sometimes appetite is decreased and a vicious circle without enough nutrition. Is she getting a quality multi vitamin mineral? Increased B vitamins will often increase appetite. Not always not without the doctor's approval.
"Frailty" can also be caused by or from a loss of muscle mass that can occur with less activity. Hauling one's body around is a form of weight bearing exercise, which helps create or maintain muscle mass. Less activity leads to decreased muscle mass, which leads to less hunger, less nutrition, more fatigue, more lethargy, wasting muscle mass and frailty. Again with doctors approval, maybe chair yoga or modified lifting of 2 or 3 pound weights.
My mom just passed in January at 94 and a half. She started showing signs of weight loss for last 2 years, complicated by a new onset heart problem. I gave her either Ensure (250 cal) or Ensure Plus (350 cal) always once and sometimes twice a day. In between meals. She enjoyed it and it didn't fill her up to the point where she didn't is your next meal.
This is all conjecture without knowing her medical condition so please respond and more relevant information can be given. I am a nutritionist so please feel free to ask any questions you may have.
So many aspects of aging are now diagnosed as conditions or diseases (often with expensive and invasive tests). Before you know it, you have a box full of pills to swallow everyday and you're spending 2-3 days a week in a doctor's office.
We have a really twisted attitude towards aging in this country.
She has lost so much weight , my guess she is 85 pound soak and wet.
What Can We Do For Her ? P.s. A very concerned Loved One.
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