I just posted another question please forgive me. My 95 year old dad is on hospice finally, as of last month. When I ask if he wants something to eat or drink, he usually says no. Should I try to encourage/force him to eat and drink? He would not want to live the way he’s living. Is this just his way? I ask if he’d like something to eat or drink and he says no. He’d probably eat or drink if I put something in front of him but maybe this is his body telling him he doesn’t want it? I’m afraid I’m doing something wrong by not giving him anything, or forcing him, or placing food in front of him, even though he says he doesn’t want anything. Thank you!
You may have to help him.
But if he keeps his mouth closed or turns his head then stop offering at that time. you can try later or with a different food or drink.
To get someone that still wants to eat to open their mouth if you place the tip or edge of the spoon just under the lower lip and apply a little pressure so they know the spoon is there that is sometimes a cue to open the mouth.
Pudding, Yogurt, Rice Pudding, apple sauce, grits, scrambled eggs are all things that are easy to eat.
You may want to avoid things that are "slippery" like peaches, banana, nectarine as they can slide down the airway. These items would be fine mashed so that they can be eaten with a spoon.
So you never want to force either food or drink on a dying person.
If your dad was hungry or thirsty he'd welcome your offers of either food or drink, so the fact that he doesn't want either tells you that his body is shutting down and getting ready for the transition from this life to the next.