Hello guys,
I am posting this question in regard to my father who is 76 years old. He's a diabetic patient and is currently under control. Two years ago my dad had a brain stroke due to high diabetes and eventually, he got paralyzed after he came across with a second brain stroke. He currently has a shunt installed into his brain to help control the water level that comes to his brain.
He does not talk and can't move his body by himself at all. My mother and us taking care of him to the fullest and give him the best nutrition. He also can't eat or swallow the food by himself. Therefore, he is getting fed through a feeding tube that is directly installed into his stomach. We only feed him liquid food but it includes very good nutrition including veggies as well as meat.
My question is no matter how good nutrients we give him, he keeps on losing weight. In the last couple of months, he lost so much weight up to skeleton level and it breaks me apart to look at him this way. Our doctor recommended us to add some whey protein in to his meal once a day. We gave him the best Whey protein on the market but I still don't see any improvement. Do you think Mass gainers are good for paralyzed patients? or any other recommendations? Does anyone experience these situations with their parents? Any helpful answer would be highly appreciated.
Thank you so much for reading my post. :)
So much comfort to know this separation is only temporary and when you shall meet again he will be whole and healthy.
The weight loss was a sign that he was going.
"Malabsorption is difficulty in the digestion or absorption of nutrients from food. Malabsorption can affect growth and development, or it can lead to specific illnesses."
So sorry for what you all have been going thru, but I think its time to let Dad go.
https://www.agingcare.com/questions/care-for-a-paralyzed-patient-any-advice-478693.htm?orderby=recent
Your father may be failing to thrive now; have you spoken to his doctor about getting him a hospice evaluation? When all means have been taken to prolong a person's life and they're still not working, it may be time to consider hospice care, as difficult as it may be.
I am sending you a prayer for guidance in this matter, and a hug as well. You have my utmost respect for doing all you've been doing to help keep your dear dad alive all this time.