Long story short. I'm a long distance caregiver. My mom and sis do the LION's share and I'm beginning to see it is quite a lot.

Mama is in hospital getting knee replacement and sis needs to be there with her, so I came in to watch after daddy (dementia.)

He is refusing to drink all the stuff they have to give him. He has a protein shake, Miralax, pedialyte with meds...he leave it on the table and pretty soon it's time for the next one but he hasn't touched the last one.

They have been giving him one cup of instant decaf coffee with breakfast and one with lunch. He likes the coffee and insists to have it. My question is can I give him the coffee mixed with the unflavored pedialyte? Is it safe to do this?? It will elminate the need to cajole him into drinking it later with the meds. He needs pedialyte because his lytes get out of balance and he has had to be hospitalized before for hypertremia.

Hi martinez,

What a new and frustrating situation it sounds you are in. It can be so challenging to encourage some with Alzheimer's to eat and drink when they do not want to. When this happens it is good to try creative methods to make sure they have the necessary nutrition.

I am not very family with Pedialyte. But I am afraid that if you mix Pedialyte it will reduce its affect as Pedialyte is usually given in its concentrated form. But I would encourage you to call his doctor who asked for him to take Pedialyte more about this- perhaps there is an alertative if he cannot take so many liquids any longer. Also, if possible see if your sister can give you some tips to how she encourages your dad to drink his liquids throughout the day. Perhaps she has a method that has worked for her when he does not drink enough.

At this time your dad may may need some more direct encouragement. It may help to use short directive phrases like, “Dad please finish your drink.” Or, “Here dad you didn’t finish your drink.” If he becomes upset and does not want to drink it at all, it is OK to give him some space and re-visit it later when he has cooled off.

You can our helpline anytime, and we can talk more about this and any other questions while you are caring for your dad. Call 800.272.3900

Bests,

quote:

Originally posted by martinez:


He is refusing to drink all the stuff they have to give him. He has a protein shake, Miralax, pedialyte with meds...he leave it on the table and pretty soon it's time for the next one but he hasn't touched the last one.

They have been giving him one cup of instant decaf coffee with breakfast and one with lunch. He likes the coffee and insists to have it. My question is can I give him the coffee mixed with the unflavored pedialyte? Is it safe to do this?? It will elminate the need to cajole him into drinking it later with the meds. He needs pedialyte because his lytes get out of balance and he has had to be hospitalized before for hypertremia.

Hello Martinez, Welcome to these message boards. Please come back often and also visit the chat room in the evening if you can.

I'd like to reinforce what Jaimie said. Your father is past the point of being able to judge his own thirst. If you just place a beverage near him, he very well may not drink it. If you say, "Dad, do you want to drink?" he may say "No". Try saying, "Dad, here is your drink." and put the cup into his hands and help him bring the cup to his lips and watch him sip. Sometimes the cognitive loss is such that the person can continue a task if they are coached on how to begin. Also, try a straw.

Pedialyte comes in flavors. You might want to ask his doctor or dietician about other suitable beverages.

Iris L.

Thanks for these suggestions. He takes the cup readily but puts it straight down on the table. Daddy is a nice guy but if he doesn't want it, he doesn't want it.

I seem to be doing ok. He weighs the same as he did when I got here (what day was it?? I sometimes wonder if I have dementia. One day sort of blends into the next in this world, doesn't it?)

My sis comes back tomorrow because I have to get back to my own family and job by Monday latest. I can't believe how hard these past few days have been. I think it's time for them to get some paid help and have always offered to share costs on that, but the parents are adamant about strangers in the house.

This has been an incredible excursion. My hat is off to the fulltime caretakers on this board.