Feed her fruits and vegetables along with other healthy snacks and junk food if she wants it, in addition to 3 square meals. I am personally a believer that at this stage, why not, what can it hurt. More fiber and protein helps us feel full longer, as I'm sure you know.
My grandma used to snack on a bowl of dry cereal and she handed that down to me. If you keep the bowl full for her, she will be able to snack from it constantly and it will always be there for her. Cereal can be filling and not all that unhealthy.
All I can say is I feel for you, as I am going through the same exact thing with my mother which is far into vascular dementia. She will like one thing one day and not the next, pickup a banana and eat it then turn right around and ask if she can have a banana because "those sure look good." God help them both and teach us how to help them. Amen
what kind of foods is she asking for? another large meal? or snacks? if you're worried about her health because hunger could a sign of a health issue? then maybe appointment to get physical? often seniors get little exercise and don't require as much food - so is she moving around a lot?
She is on hospice and has heart issues as well. She eats a good amount at each meal. She has a snack. I think she just forgets. She is in the last stage of dementia. Her memory is terrible. She doesn't remember anyone. She can't drink too much because of her congestive heart faire so I have to monitor her liquid intake,
She only likes certain foods and what she likes one day, she doesnt the next day or later the same day. I just think that shes not rea)y hungry , just that she forgets.
Some people who have dementia have this "behavior" where they are "always hungry" and "they forget that they just ate". The other posters have given you some great suggestions for snacks. By keeping a bowl of dry cereal such as Cheerios, (or small crackers such "Minis" Club Crackers: 17 crackers = 150mg of Sodium or "Snack Sticks" Club Crackers: 19 crackers = 200mg of Sodium), or fresh/frozen fruits or vegetables within your Mother's sight, her mind might be able to understand that she has food available to her whenever she wants it. (Our Memory Care Unit gives string cheese sticks or cheese spread on crackers to the dementia residents as a snack.) That might help her not feel hungry as quickly. Chewing seems to stimulate the brain into thinking that the stomach is full and in turn, results in that the person not feeling hungry.
As suggested, make sure to limit liquids and salt intake to minimize the affect on her congestive heart failure. If you notice that her ankles and feet are getting swollen then she might be retaining fluid. Also, if you weigh your Mother every day or every other day, you can monitor her weight for any rapid weight increase (such 3-5 pounds in 1-2 days) which might indicate that she is retaining fluid. Is your Mother taking a "water pill" or diuretic such as Lasix (furosemide)?
Have you talked with the hospice nurse? What did she tell you to do?
With congestive heart failure too much salt and fluids can cause extreme discomfort including swelling in the arms and legs that splits the skin. So I would be careful what I offered as unlimited snacks - probably preferring fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables which have reduced or no salt added.
Thanks everyone. Mom has a tendency to hide food in drawers. She is already on lasix. I think she's at the point where her brain doesn't let her know she is full.
Best of luck on moms hungry journey.
God help them both and teach us how to help them. Amen
another large meal? or snacks?
if you're worried about her health because hunger could a sign of a health issue? then maybe appointment to get physical? often seniors get little exercise and don't require as much food - so is she moving around a lot?
also hunger can also mean you are thirsty.
As suggested, make sure to limit liquids and salt intake to minimize the affect on her congestive heart failure. If you notice that her ankles and feet are getting swollen then she might be retaining fluid. Also, if you weigh your Mother every day or every other day, you can monitor her weight for any rapid weight increase (such 3-5 pounds in 1-2 days) which might indicate that she is retaining fluid. Is your Mother taking a "water pill" or diuretic such as Lasix (furosemide)?
Have you talked with the hospice nurse? What did she tell you to do?
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