There are a variety of reasons. His tastes may have changed. It does happen. He may be having difficulty eating, swallowing or chewing. Watch for pocketing food, choking or coughing. Watch for a grimace in the face that might indicate a dental problem. You might be giving him more than he can eat. Try many small meals over the entire day. What some would call "grazing". If breakfast is normally cereal, juice, fruit and something to drink try breaking it up and giving 1 component every hour or so. The same with lunch. Keep yogurt, fruits, healthy snacks close at hand. Depending on where he is in his journey with dementia nearing the end of life the desire to eat and or drink becomes less. The body does not need the calories and processing the food becomes more difficult for the body. Offer food, do not force. Give / offer foods that will provide nutrition but if he really wants pudding or ice cream give it to him.
My grandma's doctor said that sometimes they forget to eat She used to be a very healthy eater water only lots of vegetables. She became someone who would spit out the water and hide the vegetables around the house if I let her. She loved sweets. Her doctor said that with changes in the brain it makes them want to eat like a kid. Atleast in her case. Luckily she didn't have diabetes so within reason I would find new things that she would be interested in eating. It was a hit or miss. I have noticed that most alzheimers/dementia patients love an ice cream sandwich. I began caregiving after she passed. I say as long as it isn't causing health problems let them have all the junk food they want they're time is running short. And honestly a surprise cookie always seems to turn their moods around. I also kept ensure on hand for supplemental nutrition for the calories. She got down to 90 pounds I did anything I could think of to put some weight on her.
They may forget to eat - but that is not due to decreased appetite. Decreased appetite is what occurs naturally with age - it is basic and instinctual- also it foretells death is on the horizon.
What stage of Dementia is Dad in? If in the final stage, this happens when the body starts to shut down. If not in final stage it could be he forgets he hasn't eaten. He doesn't need as much food as he used to. There are meds that can be given to stimulate appetite, ask his doctor.
His tastes may have changed. It does happen.
He may be having difficulty eating, swallowing or chewing. Watch for pocketing food, choking or coughing. Watch for a grimace in the face that might indicate a dental problem.
You might be giving him more than he can eat. Try many small meals over the entire day. What some would call "grazing". If breakfast is normally cereal, juice, fruit and something to drink try breaking it up and giving 1 component every hour or so. The same with lunch. Keep yogurt, fruits, healthy snacks close at hand.
Depending on where he is in his journey with dementia nearing the end of life the desire to eat and or drink becomes less. The body does not need the calories and processing the food becomes more difficult for the body.
Offer food, do not force. Give / offer foods that will provide nutrition but if he really wants pudding or ice cream give it to him.
She used to be a very healthy eater water only lots of vegetables. She became someone who would spit out the water and hide the vegetables around the house if I let her. She loved sweets. Her doctor said that with changes in the brain it makes them want to eat like a kid. Atleast in her case. Luckily she didn't have diabetes so within reason I would find new things that she would be interested in eating. It was a hit or miss. I have noticed that most alzheimers/dementia patients love an ice cream sandwich. I began caregiving after she passed. I say as long as it isn't causing health problems let them have all the junk food they want they're time is running short. And honestly a surprise cookie always seems to turn their moods around. I also kept ensure on hand for supplemental nutrition for the calories. She got down to 90 pounds I did anything I could think of to put some weight on her.