My mother had no appitite for 2 years. We basically forced her to eat some. She was so precious she tried to please us. Later she would drink some Ensure 2 times a day. Partly made her drink to stay alive, she was very weak and bed ridden for 3 years. Finally the time came when the drs explained that she couldn't eat and she may choak and asperate which would kill her. When it was bad enought we had to let it go because for months she drank and ate hardly nothing, it was her way of preparing for death. Hospice also had to beat this in our heads. Don't make someone eat when they can't. It actually totures the poor person who is living it.
The doctor just called us and said let him drink all the Ensure he wants as it is better than nothing. I had told him he had drank 6 of them after breakfast...in a ROW...but the doc didn't seem concerned. So...the doctor said don't force the food, just present it but all the ensures he wants is fine!
She has to eat, breathe, and move; and it doesn't look like she's doing much of anything except survive on the supposed insurance of Ensure. It's packed with vitamins, minerals, and fat (about 50% per can), and it's not meant as a substitute for real food. It might sound simplistic, but when you make a habit of not eating you stop feeling hungry. Stomach rattles, your intestines howl and burn from constriction. After a while, you gravitate towards cold liquids, custards, purees, etc. to slow down the wasting.
I'm no scientist, but metabolism slows down with age and you're supposed to eat less. Two bites a meal is ridiculous and a clear sign something's wrong. She might be sick, chronically depressed, or too exhausted to exercise her jaws for some reason. ... And a even a case of Ensure isn't going to cure it.
Call the doctor and ask if there's a nutritionist available. If not, get a referral. Good luck.
Have you tried custard? It's smooth and bland and goes down easy,plus you can make up 6 at a time and then just have them ready to serve in the refrigerator and that comes in handy,especially first thing in the morning. Meatloaf,jello,custard,frozen yogurt,and baked potatoes worked best for us.I hope you find something that works well for you too.Take care~
I agree with your doctor. My mother does the same thing, eats a few bites then goes after the Ensure. She is in her early 90's and does not have many good teeth left. Although she has good dentures, I think she has trouble chewing. Also she can't taste food anymore. Sweet is about the only taste sense she has left. And she has digestive problems (also has gall stones and refuses surgery), so the Ensure is an easy digest. When people get old they don't have an appetite so why beg, threaten and cajole them to eat. Just let them take what they can. Believe me they won't die from starvation.
Thank you for letting us know what the doctor said, goincrazyinky. (I remember once calling the pediatricians office to ask how long a child could survive on peanut butter and french fries. They said they didn't really know because they only follow patients until they are 20 or so, but it was at least that long. We know what we "should" eat, but it is amazing how adaptable our bodies are.)
Agedtchr, is your mother's weight stable? Have you discussed her eating habits with her doctor?
goincrazyinky, does your FIL sometimes cough or choke when eating? Swallowing ability is often impaired in this kind of disorder. If he has had some episodes of choking when eating he might simply be trying to avoid that. My husband likes thick milkshakes with a Carnation Instant Breakfast and fresh fruit blended in, and he likes V-8 juice. He does eat regular meals, but when he is feeling weak or tired I resort to milk shakes. Pasta and soups seem to be good choices for him. He eats yogurt every day.
My husband's sense of hunger is also impaired. He eats when I prepare food for him. I think he could/would go days without eating if left on his own. He eats well when I tell him it is time to, though. If dementia is involved, I would definitely not withhold the Ensure and hope hunger motivates him to eat something else.
My mom has mod to severe alzehemiers and dementia and she only drinks ensure enlive I cook , I buy her fav foods she won't eat a bite ughhhh..I spoke with a dietitian at work and she said as long as she drinks 3 ensure enlive a day mom is fine ,,, so I don't fuss with her I just give her a ensure
ohmeowzer, I'm glad you don't fuss at your mom over food. Someone fussing at me over food would be very detrimental to my quality of life ... and I don't even have dementia. You took the trouble to ask a dietitian about this. You clearly have your mom's best interests at heart. Carry on!
No I don't make a big deal I know she's ok with the ensure enlive ..I'm a RN and know if I'm 81 I'm not going to be eating a lot ..i just want her to drink her ensure enlive ... you can lead a mom to food but you can't make her eat ,,,but she will drink ensure
She has to eat, breathe, and move; and it doesn't look like she's doing much of anything except survive on the supposed insurance of Ensure. It's packed with vitamins, minerals, and fat (about 50% per can), and it's not meant as a substitute for real food. It might sound simplistic, but when you make a habit of not eating you stop feeling hungry. Stomach rattles, your intestines howl and burn from constriction. After a while, you gravitate towards cold liquids, custards, purees, etc. to slow down the wasting.
I'm no scientist, but metabolism slows down with age and you're supposed to eat less. Two bites a meal is ridiculous and a clear sign something's wrong. She might be sick, chronically depressed, or too exhausted to exercise her jaws for some reason. ... And a even a case of Ensure isn't going to cure it.
Call the doctor and ask if there's a nutritionist available. If not, get a referral. Good luck.
-- Ed
Meatloaf,jello,custard,frozen yogurt,and baked potatoes worked best for us.I hope you find something that works well for you too.Take care~
Agedtchr, is your mother's weight stable? Have you discussed her eating habits with her doctor?
My husband's sense of hunger is also impaired. He eats when I prepare food for him. I think he could/would go days without eating if left on his own. He eats well when I tell him it is time to, though. If dementia is involved, I would definitely not withhold the Ensure and hope hunger motivates him to eat something else.
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