Are you sure you want to exit? Your progress will be lost.
Who are you caring for?
Which best describes their mobility?
How well are they maintaining their hygiene?
How are they managing their medications?
Does their living environment pose any safety concerns?
Fall risks, spoiled food, or other threats to wellbeing
Are they experiencing any memory loss?
Which best describes your loved one's social life?
Acknowledgment of Disclosures and Authorization
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid. We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour. APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment. You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
✔
I acknowledge and authorize
✔
I consent to the collection of my consumer health data.*
✔
I consent to the sharing of my consumer health data with qualified home care agencies.*
*If I am consenting on behalf of someone else, I have the proper authorization to do so. By clicking Get My Results, you agree to our Privacy Policy. You also consent to receive calls and texts, which may be autodialed, from us and our customer communities. Your consent is not a condition to using our service. Please visit our Terms of Use. for information about our privacy practices.
Mostly Independent
Your loved one may not require home care or assisted living services at this time. However, continue to monitor their condition for changes and consider occasional in-home care services for help as needed.
Remember, this assessment is not a substitute for professional advice.
Share a few details and we will match you to trusted home care in your area:
I don't know if she don't remember she just ate or what. She gets food and hides it in her room , in her purse,and other places. By the time I find it its not fit to eat. What is the best way to handle this ? She is on hospice.
If her weight was down this much, why would you worry about her eating a lot now? She is on hospice, which is end of life care. Quite honestly this is the point where she should be allowed to eat whenever and whatever she pleases.
In my opinion, weight gain at the end of life is not a problem. Hiding food is. I suggest that you or your wife's caregiver control her access to food but not be overly restrictive about the amount you serve. The end of life is not a time to be concerned about a person eating too much or gaining weight.
Your wife has reached the end of her life now, John. Let her gain all the weight she wants, no problem. If she tries to eat food unfit to eat, I trust she'll either spit it out or you will find it and toss it out.
Are you there with her all the time? Or is someone? I wouldn't worry too much about her eating extra food and gaining weight. She probably does not remember what she has eaten, and she finds it appealing. If she's on hospice, it's not going to harm her. However, I am worried about her hiding food and eating something that may be bad. Or even trying to eat something inedible. People with dementia do try eating things that are not even food. Because they don't know. She needs full time supervision. Don't let her eat something that may be harmful. If you can't have full 24 hour eyes on her, you could install cameras to watch what she is doing - just to monitor for her safety.
My wife is Type I diabetic and now mid stage dementia, referred to as Alzheimer's disease by physicians, but without any determination of actual physical indicators like positive blood tests or imaging. I suppose that doesn't matter (that's what the physicians say, including neurologists), but fwiw, I'd like to know.
But regarding food and eating: She gets food and eats it when I am unaware, and will hide things like half eaten apples or bread with jam. Her endocrinologist says not to be concerned about the eating, just maintain her insulin regimen. For the first time a couple of days ago, I found her trying to eat small toys that she thought were candies, a Christmas gift from people who thought they were being kind, but didn't realize that she thinks like a toddler now. So, I have to screen things carefully.
Based on the endocrinologists recommendation, I am not going to police her access to foods, but will need to be more diligent about her hiding food. Perhaps as I learn to avoid policing the eating, she will stop hiding foods. So far we've not had a pest problem, but it is really annoying to find a stash of half eaten fruits in her sock drawer.
My dad was slim all his life and ate less and got a lot more picky in the years leading up to his dementia diagnosis. He was about 5’11” and about 170 lbs most of his adult life and then was 108 lbs at death.
The last couple of years he would hide food, both foods he did not want (sandwiches, fruit, scrambled eggs, yogurt smoothies) and foods he liked (cookies, candy, ice cream) in his pockets, dresser drawers, under furniture, in his bed, and throw it out windows. It created a lot of mess and unhygienic conditions. My mom refused to supervise him or have aides in the house, even once he was in home hospice.
The more time passed, the more we let him eat whatever he wanted in whatever quantities he wanted. The last six months or so, he wanted only small amounts of vanilla ice cream and orange juice. He had a few other suspected terminal illnesses in addition to dementia and our thought was, why fight over this?
Hospice supported letting him eat only what he wanted but would give meds for example, when he developed constipation or diarrhea from this diet to treat the symptoms.
It took a lot for my way of thinking to shift over those years and it wasn’t all at once. It was like compassion played a larger role and wisdom shifted on what really matters. If that makes any sense.
Good luck getting through this. If your major concern is keeping her from hiding food and it spoiling, the only ways that I know of are controlling access her access - either locking cabinets and fridge, or supervising her closely, either yourself or someone else like aides. And also, going through her purse, pockets, and other potential hiding places. That will be needed to prevent rodents and bugs too.
You could ask her doctor about it, but I doubt they have anything much to offer.
You may consider talking to your wife about the importance of the sting on a regular basis. You may want to see if there is a medical condition that may be causing the situation. Nutritional facts and information or a consult from a dietitian or physician may be recommended.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
My condolences on your stress and upcoming loss.
I wouldn't worry too much about her eating extra food and gaining weight. She probably does not remember what she has eaten, and she finds it appealing.
If she's on hospice, it's not going to harm her.
However, I am worried about her hiding food and eating something that may be bad. Or even trying to eat something inedible. People with dementia do try eating things that are not even food. Because they don't know.
She needs full time supervision. Don't let her eat something that may be harmful. If you can't have full 24 hour eyes on her, you could install cameras to watch what she is doing - just to monitor for her safety.
But regarding food and eating: She gets food and eats it when I am unaware, and will hide things like half eaten apples or bread with jam. Her endocrinologist says not to be concerned about the eating, just maintain her insulin regimen. For the first time a couple of days ago, I found her trying to eat small toys that she thought were candies, a Christmas gift from people who thought they were being kind, but didn't realize that she thinks like a toddler now. So, I have to screen things carefully.
Based on the endocrinologists recommendation, I am not going to police her access to foods, but will need to be more diligent about her hiding food. Perhaps as I learn to avoid policing the eating, she will stop hiding foods. So far we've not had a pest problem, but it is really annoying to find a stash of half eaten fruits in her sock drawer.
She may need more supervision and/or decide, since she is in Hospice, to allow her to do as she wishes.
What does Hospice nurse say about this?
Their MD?
Gena / Touch Matters
What to do now:
Notify the primary care provider promptly
Request review of:
Medications (especially antidepressants, steroids, Parkinson’s meds, appetite stimulants)
Thyroid, GI, metabolic labs
Depression, anxiety, or trauma-related eating patterns
Focus on nutrient-dense, structured meals, not restriction
Watch for edema, shortness of breath, or fatigue → report immediately
Caregiver truth:
Sudden appetite changes are often the body trying to self-regulate after depletion. This needs medical curiosity, not control.
The last couple of years he would hide food, both foods he did not want (sandwiches, fruit, scrambled eggs, yogurt smoothies) and foods he liked (cookies, candy, ice cream) in his pockets, dresser drawers, under furniture, in his bed, and throw it out windows. It created a lot of mess and unhygienic conditions. My mom refused to supervise him or have aides in the house, even once he was in home hospice.
The more time passed, the more we let him eat whatever he wanted in whatever quantities he wanted. The last six months or so, he wanted only small amounts of vanilla ice cream and orange juice. He had a few other suspected terminal illnesses in addition to dementia and our thought was, why fight over this?
Hospice supported letting him eat only what he wanted but would give meds for example, when he developed constipation or diarrhea from this diet to treat the symptoms.
It took a lot for my way of thinking to shift over those years and it wasn’t all at once. It was like compassion played a larger role and wisdom shifted on what really matters. If that makes any sense.
Good luck getting through this. If your major concern is keeping her from hiding food and it spoiling, the only ways that I know of are controlling access her access - either locking cabinets and fridge, or supervising her closely, either yourself or someone else like aides. And also, going through her purse, pockets, and other potential hiding places. That will be needed to prevent rodents and bugs too.
You could ask her doctor about it, but I doubt they have anything much to offer.