Is she refusing to eat everything, or just specific foods? Does she choke or cough when eating? Does she have all her teeth? Will she drink fluids? Have you tried Ensure Plus or Boost Plus?
Just to emphasize, you Really need to check with docs about This!
At one point, my mom's esophagus was impacted with tuna fish! There are SO many reasons that a demented elder might not be Eating! You need to approach this in a clinical and not emotional, manner.
This comes up quite often on AgingCare, and the solution really does depend on the reason. Stomach trouble? Constipation? Loss of appetite? Poorly fitting dentures, cavities or other oral problems? And yes, difficulty swallowing or choking?
hi everyone. I recently went thru this with my dad. he wasn't eating either. dad and mom are both 92. I tried every thing. he lost so much weight. In seeing a swallow specialist it was just that. he could not get his food or drinks down. he was put on blended foods, and any liquid he had was thickened with something called thick it. its tasteless but it thickens the liquid so they don't chock. it has worked for dad. he was able to swallow with out chocking and began eating and drinking again. you can buy it in any drug store and even some grocery stores. good luck.
At one point, my mom's esophagus was impacted with tuna fish!
There are SO many reasons that a demented elder might not be Eating! You need to approach this in a clinical and not emotional, manner.
Has a speech therapist done a swallow test?