quote:

Originally posted by Alan in Colorado:
Cecil, this is a perfect example of a person who would benefit from medicinal marijuana. I take it for muscle spasms and pain, but marijuana first gained medical status as helping people regain their appetite. It can be made into a sweet, milky tea, which most people are able to swallow.

My apologies if you don't consider this an appropriate suggestion.

quote:

Originally posted by Iris L.:
Dear Cecil, I'm sorry about your Mom's injury and subsequent enucleation. She's probably devastated and emotionally traumatized.

Ask the doctor to order for Speech Therapy to do a swallowing assessment.

Many ADLOs crave sweets. Even though your Mom's diet may not be well balanced from eating candy and desserts, perhaps you can use some treats to tempt her appetite and maintain her caloric intake until you can get her back home and back into her routine.

P.S. I grew up in Williamsburg on Throop Ave.

Iris L.

quote:

Originally posted by Jaimie E.:
Welcome to our online community, I am so sorry for what brings you here.

Eating problems often go hand in hand with many persons living with Alzheimer’s. What you are faced with is your mom’s changes and progression with the disease, and possible other medical conditions complicating her cognition and ability to eat. Below are some Caregiver tips to share with the hospital staff and to use on your own. These may work for a while, and delay the need for other measures.

Here is a document with details about eating and Alzheimer’s:
http://www.alz.org/national/do...opicsheet_eating.pdf

Preparing the meal / Preparing the environment:
• avoid over stimulation with television, noise, and too many people. You may want to play soft relaxing music during mealtime.

• have the person wear a bib to prevent soiling of clothing. Plastic or cloth capes can often be purchased at a wholesale outlet for beauty supplies.

• consult with the physician about vitamin, nutrient, and fiber supplements. Your physician can also refer you to a nutritionist for consultation. If the person is in a facility or hospital, there may be a nutritionist on staff there.

• serve foods that don't require much chewing: soups, ground meat, mashed potatoes, applesauce, and pureed vegetables.

• baby foods are fine, but expensive: try a food processor, blender, or baby food grinder instead.

• don't feed a person who is lying down or drowsy. They could easily choke. If they are bed bound, prop them up with pillows to get them into an upright or sitting position. They will also need to be upright or sitting for at least 20 minutes after they eat.

Problems with eating avoidance:
• avoidance of food may be a symptom of depression. Consult the physician about this possibility and seek treatment if recommended.

• maintain eye contact and model the actions of taking food on the spoon, chewing and swallow. You may have to repeat this step several times throughout the feeding session.

• you may want to gently put your hand on their hand and guide the spoon up to their mouth. Putting the spoon on their lips will often stimulate them to open their mouth. Make sure your movements are slow and deliberate. Quick movements may confuse or agitate them.

• in a soothing voice, talk them through each step of eating while also showing them with your assistance. For example, say, “Open your mouth,” then open your mouth wide to demonstrate.

I have a blender and have been pureeing her foods. I'm at a loss as to what could have caused my mom to suddenly stop eating and taking fluids. She wouldn't even take her medicines. Do you have a list of medicines


Problems with swallowing:
•thin liquids are often the most difficult to swallow. You may want to add a thickening agent to the liquid. A thickening agent makes the liquid easier to swallow and can reduce choking. Ask your physician or nutritionist for other suggestions of similar products.

• do not have the person use a straw. Rather, allow them to sip from a cup. Plastic sipping cups with lids are easy to find in most stores that sell baby supplies.

• cold drinks are easier to swallow than hot drinks.

• milk may not be a good option as it tends to get caught in the throat.

• don’t hurry the person. Each mouthful must be chewed and swallowed before they take another bite. When serving them with a spoon, fill the spoon half full.

• when swallowing, encourage the person to keep their chin down and neck forward. You may need to gently rub their throat to stimulate swallowing.

Watching such extreme physical changes can be so devastating. This disease is unpredictable in its path of progression, and many persons living with Alzheimer’s are affected by eating issue in the mid to end stages of the disease. Although these issues can be so emotionally taxing, I would strongly encourage you and your family to discuss with her doctor the possibility of enlisting the professionals at Hospice for help. Hospice will assist with palliative care in the end stages of any terminal illnesses, and can be so very supportive physically and emotionally with this very challenging process. Your mom’s doctor can refer her to hospice if appropriate; please talk to him or her more about that possibility.

I hope this information is helpful in your situation. Please come back this supportive community as there are many families and persons in similar situations, who may be able to connect with you more! Please check out the Caregiver's Forum to connect with other caregivers http://alzheimers.infopop.cc/e...ms/a/frm/f/214102241

Also, we are here 24/7 to talk with you directly through our helpline. Please call us anytime if you wish to talk more about eating or other issue you are experiencing. Call 800.272.3900

Bests,

quote:

Originally posted by cecilb:

quote:

Originally posted by Iris L.:
Dear Cecil, I'm sorry about your Mom's injury and subsequent enucleation. She's probably devastated and emotionally traumatized.

Ask the doctor to order for Speech Therapy to do a swallowing assessment.

Many ADLOs crave sweets. Even though your Mom's diet may not be well balanced from eating candy and desserts, perhaps you can use some treats to tempt her appetite and maintain her caloric intake until you can get her back home and back into her routine.

P.S. I grew up in Williamsburg on Throop Ave.

Iris L.

Hi Iris. Whether my mother is devastated by her eye injury, I don't know. The injury itself was very traumatic, more so, to me than my mom. She was more in shock, than traumatized. My mother, though has diabetes, so I don't know if that could help her. My mom is only 80 years old(young). How is a swallowing assessment done and can it help. As I'm typing this, my mom is in the hospital, not for the eye, but for a UTI, which is being treated. I visited my mom and asked one of her nurses if my mom has eaten anything. I was told that she has, but not very well. How long ago did you live in Williamsburg? I'm on Humboldt Street in Williamsburg.