Why is Mom so thin, but still eating?

My mom had Lewy body dementia and parkinsons. When she reached the point where she could still stand but wasn't really walking the doctor told us that she was not getting all the nutritional value from her food because she was not mobile. Basically, if you don't use it you lose it. My mom ate extremely well. Blood tests indicated that she a little malnourished and I was shocked. At this point we were told to add an ensure type of drink. This was to be given in addition to her meals not in place of a meal.

My cousin continues to lose weight, even though she eats well. I researched it and discovered something called cachexia. It is quite common with those with diseases. It's inevitable weight loss despite eating. The body stops absorbing nutrients, even if they are consumed. Here's a link about weight loss and advanced dementia.

http://www.uws.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/77026/Weight_Loss_pamphlet_A4_format.pdf

Hospice is care for the end-of-life body functions. She is not able to absorb nutrients from food she eats, and therefore her body is starting to shut down. This is the beginning of the end of her life, so make every moment count. God bless you and your family.

does hospice have a nutritionist/dietician that you can meet with to get some tips on how to handle this?

There is less & less of me daily....
I have not been absorbing food properly for some time now & I am on no medications.
I AM SO READY TO leave this earth.

Sarah, you are doing a wonderful job of taking care of your mom. Sometimes no matter how hard we try things just don't go the way we want them to. Your mom will stop eating when she is ready. When on hospuce sometimes the patient is unable to let you know they are in pain. You said your mom is verbal so hopefully she will be able to tell you. You can tell someone is in pain by the grimaces on their face or when they are moved. If your mom is still passing urine, she is holding her own at the moment. Have the nurses or doctors said why she is getting blisters on her feet? If you are able to get her into a wheelchair and wheel her around the facility or take her out for air, I would definitely give that a try or maybe take her to get her hair done. I am only suggesting these things because to me it sounded like if mom didn't have the blusters she would be up. Spend as much time with your mom as you can, love and enjoy while you still have her. 😊🙏

Rosebush makes a good suggestions about getting your mother's hair done and/or getting outside. Hair appointments can be very therapeutic - it's always nice to feel better afterward - I think men feel better after haircuts as much as women do.

And being outside in good weather is just relaxing and rejuvenating, unless your mother's just too fatigued to try it. There's nothing like a soft breeze, the sound of birds and the rustle of the trees, especially as the heat gradually fades away and autumn creeps in.

Many of you have discussed high calorie foods/drinks which is fine however do not leave out the Thyroid. It may be acting up. A simple fasting blood test will tell. I would have the pharmacist review all of the medications and see if there is interaction. I had to take my Mom off Namenda, the med that is used in conjunction with Aricept. "NUMB"enda made Mom withdraw, become more dizzy and over - urinate. She could no longer feel the sensation to pee and to go to the bathroom, needless to say there was a ton of cleaning to do.

Anonymous 44 your absolutely right about hospice when my dad was diagnosed at the hospital with asperation they said he can continue to eat anything but thickener for thin liquids and puree foods is best and told me he should be on hospice Cause he had DNR ORDER with Parkinsons .They took away all his drugs except for ones that are comfort care only I stay close contact with his nurse and let them know when I don't think what they are doing is right sometimes they want to give him too much pain meds or ativan

My mother isn't on any meds, hospice took her off all her medications, for high blood pressure, parkinsons, she has had many problems with falling, swelling of feet, c-diff and infections, they are taking great care of her in the home that she is in and so is hospice, there is no way she can go to a beauty shop, as some has asked here, wish she could, but she is very very weak, and that is out of the question. I visit her every other day, the facility is only 3 miles from my house. I quess that this is her end of life, and the home, hospice and I are making it as comfortable as possible for her, and thank goodness she has no pain. She can be like this for a while is what they tell me, I hope god takes her, because it is heartbreaking to see her like this, she was an active woman always cooking, and doing so much, she is italian and you know how they love to do for the family as she always did! She is a wonderful mother and grandmother and now great grandmother, we take the great grandchildren to see her all the time and that seems to put a little smile on her face, but she does sleep alot and her body is kind of stiff and she has gotten blisters on her feet and swollen, I love my mom very much