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She wants to eat constantly. she forgets she eats,sometimes after about 10 mins. I cannot keep food in MY fridge because she will eat anything that is in it. She ate a pat of butter one night. And she eats all day and night. I have tried giving her a sleeping pill but it doesn't work. I can't keep my yogurts in the fridge because she eats them. I have tried hiding them behind other things and on the door behind bottles. She finds them. She likes tangerines but will eat the whole bag in one afternoon! She likes chocolate kisses and if I buy them she eats a small bag a day. I feel like a prisoner in my own house! I take the cereal away because she will eat 6-7 bowls a day. She can use the microwave sometimes (sometimes she burns stuff) and I took knobs off stove. If I tell her she just ate she will say "Well ,can't I eat again-I want to." If I take everything away she will bother me every 10 minutes asking for food. Any suggestions????

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Veronica, that is a good point about having her thyroid checked. Also, drinking water will help suppress her appetite naturally. Bobbi, If she doesn't like the taste of plain water, Crystal Lite is really good and there are Miro (sp?) drops or even Kool-Aid and tea. Lots of options. She might like the carbonated waters, although I would avoid soft drinks. They serve no nutritional purpose.

The thing that I was always afraid would happen, was that food would become a power struggle. Where mom wouldn't want to eat anything good in favor of filling up on junk if it was readily available to her. She had never really watched her diet, as she was so active in her "previous life" before dementia and arthritis. So I did try to make sure meals were more balanced. I often made sugar free Jello pudding for dessert. Hope you've gotten some ideas, and I can reassure you that you are in good company here.
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Obesity would be my main concern. Discuss the problem with her Dr and ask if any of her medications could be causing this and if there is something you could give her to suppress her appetite. Also ask to have her thyroid function checked. other than that I would try and remove temptation if necessary keeping food in a locked room or somewhere she does not have access to. Provide things that will do no harm and if possible take a long time to eat like raw vegetables and a limited amount of fruit. Keep her meal portions small and provide snacks regularly and encourage her to drink lots of water unless that is contraindicated due to health problems.
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I think that I might discuss it with her doctor. Do you think she's eating so much due to anxiety?

I think that my cousin, who also has dementia, would also eat like that if she were not in Memory Care. She can't since the food is only available when they serve the meals and snacks. I take her meals and snacks as well and she seems to devour anything that I bring.

I think I might supervise her food intake and just limit it some, so she won't get sick. If she asked if she can eat again, I might respond, Sure, very soon. And just keep repeating that answer until the appropriate time for her meal or snack.
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I would like to reassure you that this is probably a phase that will eventually pass. Has she always been this hungry or is this a new behavior? Have you mentioned this to her doctor? There are medications that act as appetite suppressants that might help. However, I would be happy that she likes to eat yogurt, as that is good for her digestion. Constipation is a horrid situation that most of us are having to deal with at some time or another. In the meanwhile, keep fruit and vegetable trays in the refrigerator for her to snack on. Keep the sweets either out of the house or in another location, else she will gain weight during all this. Excess weight isn't good for her legs and mobility. When we went through this with my mother, I began filling our plates in the kitchen instead of putting bowls of food on the table. Mom never knew when to stop eating. Now, years later, I just wish she would eat more and stop losing weight. I have heard stories of people finding their parent eating mayonnaise straight from the jar. The brain just short circuits and they don't really know how to deal with these cravings.

You might try keeping her a little busier if possible, so that she's not always thinking of food, maybe even away from the house. Have you looked into adult day care? Certainly try redirecting her attention. Last resort: child locks on the refrigerator and pantry. Just remember that this is today's behavior, it will soon change to something else. So sorry that you are feeling like a prisoner, hope others chime in with other ideas.
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