If your parent can't swallow anymore, how does one keep them nourish and alive?

If your mom is near the end of her life, all here are correct in saying the body is not hungry or thirsty and forcing food is very uncomfortable because the body can not digest it. On the other hand, my uncle was in hospital and also failed the swelling test. Went back to nursing home with an order that all food be puréed. After about 2 weeks of him not eating, i requested that the order be changed. Many discussion went on about this. Once he was given regular food, that i insisted be cut into small pieces . He had no problems and lived another 2 years. Choking was not an issue. If your mom is choking that is a whole other issue. I also felt i was starving my mom to death but after seeing how peaceful and pain free she was, I was able to accept it. Will pray for peace and comfort for you and your mom.

Hi University, my mom just passed (this sunday) from end stage Alz. Do not force feed her, losing the ability to eat or drink is usually the start of the dying phase, my mom was under hospice care for more than 2 years, which is unusual. When thy start to die refusing food or drink is not unusual. We sustained my mom for months with feeding her through a syringe to the mouth and gently dripping it into her mouth, but the last few days she was not able to take anything by mouth. We were told by hospice that this was normal and did not make the person dying uncomfortable. In fact, they said if we did try, that would cause her discomfort. From what I understand, this refusal or inability to eat or drink is normal as their internal organs are failing. Mama died quietly (except for the agonal breathing) in her sleep. I'm glad we did everything to make her comfortable - even if it was hard for us. Blessings to you, Lindaz.

Why are they saying no feeding tube? My hubbie had ALS and had said he didn't want any "drastic measures" to keep him alive, including a feeding tube. But when his ability to swallow finally hit, he was still cognizant and wanted to be able to fight to stay alive for as long as he could. So he was given a feeding tube which required 1 night in the hospital - since his ALS doc was 2 hours away. Only at the very end (last 2-3 days) was he unable to tolerate any feedings that way. We were glad that he/we had decided that withdrawing sustenance when everything else was fine was not humane. I'll be praying for wisdom for you!

Has she recently had tubes down her throat? This can cause problems with throat and swollowing if they were left in too long

A good hospice should have a lot of experience with what you're facing. It would be worth it just to meet with them to decide if they can give you more information/support than you're feeling now. It can't hurt. I can imagine how difficult this is for you (probably more than for your mom)...hugs to you. You're going to need all of the support and knowledge you can get. Contact hospice.

Ice cream, something she likes. Keep her happy

Talk to your case worker - HOSPICE - They will give you options and suggestions. They are great

Hospice has specific and extensive experience with persons in the last stage of life. They were able to come up with some solutions that helped keep my husband comfortable.

Their attitude was to let my husband eat whatever he wanted to/could eat,but not to push him to take food. (He "failed" the swallowing test, too.)

Being with a loved one who has started the process of dying is very stressful. Don't discount the value of "support."

mom has been on thickit for a long time its classified as honey level and shes doing fine before her admission. yes they suggested hospice but what can they do for me. i have girls some that have been here over a year with my mom and we have all the medical equipment needed so other then support i see no use in hospice

I know how you feel. It is SO hard to let go of our mothers. Believe it or not, our bodies are equipped to handle the starvation. There are other people who can explain it much better than I can, but she will feel no pain or hunger. Inserting a tube is invasive and painful, and many people have expressed the desire to avoid that treatment. If she's not ready to go, she will accept the thickened liquids without choking, but will she be able to get enough to maintain life? A sip here and there is just prolonging the inevitable.

It is so hard and I'm sending you my best thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult time.

Are they saying she can't have thickened liquids? Did you ask the doctor how she'll be receiving nourishment? Is s/he suggesting hospice?