This is my first time in this group. My Mom is in late stages Alzheimers. Eating has always been a problem but now she doesn't eat at all. When I feed her, she doesn't know what t do with the food in her mouth. She holds it there and then spits it out. She hasn't eaten in six days. I am trying my best to keep her hydrated, giving her water and Boost. Her doctor told me she can stay this way for a long time, which is not really a blessing. I'm also concerned with bowel movements. This has been a huge problem but now that she is not eating should I be worried about this. Has anyone faced this stage and can tell me what to do. Is completely stopping eating telling me to prepare for the end? Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated.

I don't have experience with this but I'm guessing most of us would agree that you need to put in a call to Hospice to help you. They have the answers and the experience that you need.

I'm very sorry this is happening, but we welcome you to our "family". Please stay with us and let us help what tiny bit we can.

It doesn't sound good. But her doctor should know what this means. Ask him. --Jim

I would call the doctor and ask for hospice. They will be able to help. My mom was like this in her final days but everyone is different.
I would try to keep her hydrated but watch so she does not choke.

Thank you all for your help. I have just recently found this site and it's very helpful. I called the doc yesterday but he is out of town for the holiday till Monday. I did speak with him about this happening a while ago and he said you could live a long time without eating but only 5 days without water. He too suggested I call Hospice. I guess I will have to do that. I know you will understand when I say this but I do ask God to intervene I rather her be in her heavenly home than in a nursing home. AFter years of this, I have come to understand that it is time to let go. I know it will be bitter sweet, but I believe I am ready. Thanks and I will keep you informed of what I find out.

Becky, how long was your Mom like this for and what did they tell you about this? Thanks

ccristina,

Hospice can set your mom up in your home. They will give you all you need to make your mom comfortable right where she is. We called them 5 days before my MIL passed away (not with AD) and they made it so much easier on all of us. We stayed with her in her apartment until the end. I know what you mean about living like that not being a blessing. But trust that God knows what you all are going through and will be near.

Hugs & prayers,

Ccristina,
I know we're heading into the holiday weekend, but I would call Hospice today. They take phone calls 24/7. There are several different Hospice organizations (unless you're in a really small town), so if you don't get satisfactory help from one, call another. You really need their help.

My mom stopped eating on Monday and passed away on Friday morning. I never could have gotten through the ordeal without Hospice. They will bring medications to your house, and will help keep her comfortable (whether or not she is truly at the end of her journey).

Please stay in touch here. We all care and want to know how things go.

Ccristina,
I am sorry that you are going through this. My Uncle didn't have AD, but hospice really helped him and our family.
My Uncle was diagnosed with lung cancer(late stage) and they were planning to do chemo. Then, they abruptly said that they couldn't do chemo and discharged him home. My aunt called hospice late at night and they came at midnight, brought a hospital bed, oxygen, medication, and really really educated my Aunt about what to expect.
I agree with Jackieb that a call to hospice today would really help you.
I will keep you in my prayers.

If you have difficulty giving her liquids, try fruit popsicles or ice chips to keep her hydrated.

Hospice will stay with you and your mother for six months or even more as needed...and will provide wonderful support and knowledge...

Christina...My husband is where your mom is now. In our area it is the responsibility of the physician to refer a patient to hospice upon a family members request. Because your doctor in unavailable I would find a hospice you would like to work with and find out all you can now. I don't think any hospice can come into the home without that initial contact from your mom's doc but I could be wrong so it would be worth it to be ready to move the minute your doctor is available.

For some reason my husband won't sip through a straw (that does take co-ordination and energy) but he will suck on the tip of a syringe I use. Most drug stores have the oral medication syringes. I place the tip on his tongue and just a few drops of applesauce or nectar and he starts to suck. Might not work for your mom but worth the try.

Hospice gave me a flyer that has a section from a book, Surviving Death: A Practical Guide to Caring for the Dying and Bereaved by Charles Meyer. I would cut and copy this for you but I see it has a copyright. Interesting information that I haven't heard before...dehydration and malnutrition bring on a condition azotemia, a condition where the body's waste products become elevated in the blood. This waste acts as a natural sedative,dulling the person's awareness of pain and discomfort. I will continue to provide what I am already but knowing this will help when he can no longer swallow.

Call hospice, explain your situation, they will guide you as to what you need to do to get that process started as quickly as possible.

I wish you peace in the days ahead.

My mom was like this for about two weeks. WE had called hospice in on January 25th and mom died on February 5th. Pleaswe understand that my mom had other conditions along with AD. Her major problem was a bed sore that we could not heal and a sever UTI. The meds we bothering her stomach from that. She lapsed ino a coma on Tuesday and died by Thursday. But as I said everyone is different and it all depends on the other conditions which the LO has. Just be careful feeding her and giving her fluids.

Hi. My dad died from colon cancer and he passed about 13 days after he stopped eating. he was able to drink until about 5 days before the end.

I am sorry you are going through this.

Hello Cristina: I'm so sorry you're going through this. I agree with everyone else on getting Hospice involved. My mom gradually stopped eating. She was in an ALF, and the staff tried their best to coax her to eat; however, they could not spend as much time as was necessary (I don't mean this in a critical way as they tried their best). On evenings when I would be there, I could see she was definitely forgetting how to chew and swallow. It was a long process requiring almost constant cues. She was under Hospice as well. The last two weeks of her life she stopped eating altogether, and the last few days was unable to drink fluids either. She just did not know what to do with them. I felt so helpless and sad. It was almost unbearable to see her in that state. My heart goes out to you. Hospice will help you. Come back here as often as necessary. There are a lot of great people to help you.

God Bless,
Kathy

Thank you all so very much for your comments and concern. I have been keeping my Mom on fluids and tonight for the first time, she sipped water and then spit it out, exactly like she did with the food. I will call hospice first thing in the morning. I did have them when my Dad had cancer and they were wonderful. The funny is on so many occasions I would ask God to take her because I couldn't stand to see her suffer. Now when it looks like that will happen soon, I am afraid to loose her. She is all I have. I know she will be whole and healed in heaven, but I'm not sure I can handle this. Thanks for being there with me.

ccristina,

You will get through this. God will be with you. As the psalmist said "Be still, and know that I am God". Feel His presence, and know the angels await your mom's presence with them.

ccristina,
Your last post makes me so sad. I know exactly what you mean. I used to beg God to end her suffering, but then when the time came, I wanted to take back all those requests. It is so hard on us, but so wonderful for our LO's to get out of their broken bodies and rejoice in Heaven. I'm happy my mom is back with her sisters and her parents. I'm praying for you. Please keep us updated.

Good morning all my new friends. I just got off the phone with Hospice and the are sending someone over this afternoon. It was a difficult call. I didn't sleep at all last night. Your comments have been encouraging especially reminding me how my Mom will be much better off in heaven. She has always been my best friend. I am 54, never married so she really is all I have. I feel bad now that I have asked God so many times to take her home but as all of you remind me, I know she will be out of this broken body. My Mom lost the ability to speak so I know in heaven she will be talking up a storm and be with her loved ones.

ccristina, God love you. You should never feel bad about praying that a loved one be released from a prison of suffering. Just as He gives your mom the peace she needs, He will give you the strength to handle your pain.

And we are here to support you in good days and bad.

ccristina, I am so glad that hospice is coming in today. I was amazed that the doctor did not have someone covering for him who could have called earlier.
I to, am only 53 and mom was my best friend. I was the oldest and stayed home to care for both my parents. When my dad died in 1993, it was mom and i and we were the best of friends. I know it will be hard when she passes, but you can and will get through it. It will take time and everytime you turn around something will remind you of her. But know in your heart that she will be in a better place and will not have this disease.

It's been over a week since I started with Hospice. They have been helpful explaining abut the liquids and letting me know Mom can stay a long time without eating. They explained the nutritional drinks and what I can do to get her to drink. It's been much better, but now she won't use a straw. She just blows bubbles. It's always something. Thanks for your encouragement

We are still here...whenever you need us.

ccristina,
I signed my Mom up for Hospice on July 3, 2008 in the nursing home where she was living. It was a great experience because the Hospice nurse and I made many important decisions that made my Mom's quality of life so much better during her last days on this earth. She died on August 12, 2008.
I hope that Hospice ends up being as wonderful an experience for you and your Mom.
Take care!