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She has had acute, sub acute rehabs with little to know success. She is 10 months post ischemic stroke. She was not suppose to survive. Bedridden the entire time. An occasional wheelchair while in rehabs but not for a long period of time. She has been living with my family since June. Vitals are stable. Heart rate remains consistently high.

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People can live a lot longer without food than without water. Is she drinking water at all? Dehydration will ravage an elderly person's body. But only 8oz of anything per day is not enough for anyone, elderly or not.

I'll spare you the details but my mom took to her bed after beating cancer. I think the enormity of what she had been through hit her hard once she got home from rehab. She stayed in bed the entire day and would get up around 7pm, long enough to drink an Ensure. She got up periodically to use the bathroom but since hardly anything was going in hardly anything was coming out. She refused to go to the hospital but one night when my dad called me because she had fallen, I lied and said that I couldn't lift her, that we'd have to call 911. After many tests done in the ER it was found that her electrolytes were extremely screwed up. This was not a result from her cancer but from laying in bed all day, not eating or drinking. She didn't survive. And while my dad told people she died of cancer I know what she really died from: apathy. She just lost the will to live.

Is your mom just not hungry? Is she taking in any fluids other than the Boost? Is she in bed? You can't force her to eat or drink, all you can do is encourage her.
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She survived an acute ischemic stroke in Jan 2013 acute, sub acute rehab and all therapies exhausted. She can no longer eat even soft, puréed foods due to aspiration. She will drink an 8oz boost twice a day only. Refuses anything else. Even very soft foods. We are with Hospice. She is having diarrhea regularly she voids about once a day. She is on resperidone, hydro codons and a patch. She was not expected to survive stroke.
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From what you've written it sounds like your mom is a good candidate for hospice. We had hospice for my dad and they were wonderful.

When my mom was in bed all that time my aunt would call me screeching about having a feeding tube inserted into my mom's stomach. I couldn't think of anything more horrific and of course I didn't have this done.

Did hospice give you all kinds of information on the body and what different symptoms mean? We were given that kind of information when my dad was sick and I learned that when a certain point comes to pass the body doesn't need food anymore. With your mom being at risk for aspiration, not being able to eat even soft foods, Boost sounds like the only thing she can take in at this point.
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One thing of note she has talked very little -to affected during this ordeal. She had an advanced directive- no life saving attempts have or will be administered.
She is talking the most and making some sense since the stroke. Amazing. She has been drinking only Boost for about a week and a 1/2 now.
Thank you so much for your responses. My gut tells me the end is near despite the sudden ability to speak.
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It sounds like the end is near. I'm glad you're here. Keep in touch.
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Thank you so much. At times this stroke feels like it is a tease-most especially the talking. I have had caregivers with me. My mother was not a woman of wealth at all. I have exhausted almost all resources. Should be ok for a couple of months more before I have to make more decisions. We are so close. We talk about all. Everything has been discussed and planned prior to stroke. I have all her powers etc. I have experienced many blessings during this. Mother has to. I have not lied or mislead her in any of the due ions I have made for her. Actually I have been lead in all decisions. Did not leave her in SNH as the cost for 24 hr care was the same. I live in a wonderful community and was able to gather a wonderful group of caregivers--this has been a blessing to me. My heart goes out to those who are not as fortunate as I have been- I will help others when my mother passes. I miss her so much and thankful to have had this time and she is now able to somewhat converse with me. Her primary caregiver is blown away.
Again, thank you for reading. I appreciate it so very much.
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I would also believe the end is near and so I'm very glad you've got hospice involved. They should be able to answer any questions you have. I think sometimes people "rally" just before the end. That might be what you're seeing...
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I have seen 3 year olds who live on nothing but Ovaltine and milk who not only survive, they thrive. Boost is just as good.
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I would agree that the Mom's passing is close. As noted there is very often a rally right before the end. The other thing I have noticed is the diarrhea which is often seen in the days before death. If she wants to continue the boost that is fine but right before the end just keep her mouth moist with ice chips for comfort. Enjoy whatever time you have left, say your good byes and tell her anything you have always wanted to say. Just sit quietly beside her or lie in the bed and hold her whatever feels comfortable to you both. The hospice nurses will guide you through this sad time. Blessings.
If we are all wrong the Boost will keep someone going for quite a while. It is only 500 calories but lying motionless does not take much energy.
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