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Eating Problems and Disorders That Come From Them.....

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Posted 1/21/2005 8:42 AM (GMT 0)
Recently, Nana hasn't been eating very much. All she seems to want is an ice cream cone. Papa took her to the store today so she could pick out her dinner, and come dinner time she didn't want to eat it. We got her to eat about half of the brocoli (it was a lean cuisine thing), but she wouldn't eat the chicken. Tonight she wasn't really eating because she was upset (which went away when the ice cream came out), but this has been going on for about a month or so. Anyone have any suggestions on how to get her to eat? She keeps trying to give her food to the dog. I'm worried about her, because she just picks at her food, then eats ice cream.

Post Edited By Moderator (Howlyncat) : 3/29/2007 9:02:33 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 1/21/2005 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
That's normal for the AD patient to do this.
My appetite started going away before I was dx in 1996.
I eat very little now compared to the way I used to eat,really don't get hungry anymore.
Many with AD crave sweets,My taste for sweets left years ago,things I loved taste too sweet now.
I have become VERY picky at what I eat,has to be just so,so before I eat it.

Then there are those who can't get enough to eat,eat all the time.

Posted 1/21/2005 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Pixie, Hello Lynne - we found that dad eats SOFT foods better. It's not that he doesn't like meat - it's that he doesn't like the texture. So we go for soft meats (or cook them in a "soft" way.) Also we put LESS on the plate so it doesn't overwhelm him.

We also found that cutting his food for him in thin small bites helps him. He "can" cut his own food - but isn't hungry enough to want to bother sometimes.

Let me know what works for YOU. :)

If he like Nanna likes ice cream - maybe she would like Instant Breakfast or other dietary shakes.
Posted 1/21/2005 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
Nana used to eat a lot before this past month. Now she just wants sweet things, especially ice cream.

I'll try cutting up her food. She really likes chicken, so maybe we'll try making more chicken dishes. The thing is, she'll pick out what she wants, be all excited about dinner, runs around the house asking when dinner is, and sets the table, then gets everyone to the table, then doesn't eat. I guess she just likes dinner time now because everyone's together.

I was thinking about those dietary shakes, because those are pretty sweet, too. I think I'll give those a try. Thanks for the suggetions. :)
Posted 1/22/2005 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
Make your own shakes with Carnation instant breakfast.
i've tasted ensure,boost,they are yukky.
Posted 1/22/2005 7:04 AM (GMT 0)
Nana and Papa went to her doctor one time, and they were there so long that the doctor gave them some Ensure shakes. They liked them and bought some of their own. But that was months ago. I told Papa about the shake idea, and he went to the store and forgot to get them. Maybe next time. She ate her dinner tonight, though!

Carnation is goooood!
Posted 1/23/2005 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
The time will come when anything she'll eat is ok.Even just ice cream.
Posted 1/23/2005 5:52 AM (GMT 0)
What do you mean?
Posted 1/23/2005 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
Her appetite will go,refuse to eat,or she won't be able to swallow towards the end.Some people have feeding tubes inserted,thinking it gives them a better life,but it doesn't,it just prolongs death,can cause undo infections,they get clogged up then have to be reinserted with a new tube.My way of thinking is NOT the way I would want to end life.
Posted 1/24/2005 4:57 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Pixie - Hi Snowy,

Good topic. Sounds kind of dahhh but depending how little your loved one is eating - they may allow you to spoon feed them. Dad likes any kind of attention. He fusses with his shoe laces to get someone to touch him. He loves it if I help him adjust his socks or lotion his dry skin. :) I "find" spots on his arms that "need" lotion too. He loves it. Glad Nanna likes the shakes. They do sell those in a large container of dry powder - that is probably the least expensive way to get them. Dad likes shakes too.

Does Nanna like cereal ? Some cereals are good "finger food" Nanna might like to munch those even w/o milk. Healthy snack and EASY. yeah
Posted 1/24/2005 6:40 AM (GMT 0)
I don't think she'd let us feed her. Her favorite thing to eat is peanut butter and banana sandwiches. I swear, she's had one everyday for lunch for the past 61 years. I'm not sure about cereals. Most of the foods she seems to like now a days are sweet. For Christmas, my mom bought a few tins of chocolate covered caramel covered popcorn.

I'm thinking she might just not feel hungry at night, because when I go over for lunch she's always eating her sandwich.
Posted 1/24/2005 3:26 PM (GMT 0)
PB and Bananas are excellant!!! (hmmmm soft and sweet) a little milk w/that sandwich and she has a complete protein
Posted 1/24/2005 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
Yep. :)
Posted 1/26/2005 9:55 AM (GMT 0)
Spoon feeding is great,but when the can't swallow anymore all that will happen is aspirating the food,then getting pneumonia...........
Posted 1/26/2005 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone.

I am glad that I saw this. My elder sister has early dementia,she is 55 now but was diagnosed about 4 years ago i think. She was always a very healthy eater but we have found that just lately she is only interested in sweets and cakes.

She is coming here tomorrow and I am not sure what to give her to eat. The Doctor has said as long as she is eating somthing then that is better than nothing,but she has realy started to lose weight. It's worrying.

Sue
Posted 1/26/2005 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hide the sweets,give her good wholesome food.............
Posted 2/9/2005 1:48 PM (GMT 0)

Some people with AD can eat evertyhing plus more & still lose weight.AD does that,you can't stop it.I gained up to 183lbs.I'm now at 155 4 months later.But them I'm not a good eater anymore.

Posted 2/17/2005 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
SNAPPLE MAKES A GOOD MEAL REPLACEMENT DRINK. STRAWBERRY BANANA IS YUMMY. MOM SAYS "THIS IS GOOD" (AND BELIEVE ME THAT IS SOMETHING) HER APPETITE IS GONE. TRY IT.
Posted 2/17/2005 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
My taste for sweets went out the door too,lol.
Posted 3/27/2007 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
My Dad was a sweet fanatic now he is off most except the " Bosten creme donuts from Timmy's
Personally I am glad but he is losing weight a rapid pace even though eating really healthy ....
I think it is a grief thing with him ......as well as the AD as Snowy says

LYN
Posted 3/29/2007 7:48 AM (GMT 0)
Also,If your loved one has Pernisious Anemia without intrinsic factor as I do,that can cause your appetite to go south.I'm taking a medication & it's makes me hungry.Since I also have IBS I have to be careful & eat small meals.I cut my food up small,it's easier to eat.I'm not the meat eater I once was either.
Posted 3/29/2007 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
Snowy
ANY more info on this would be appreciated I changed title of Thread to add Problems that arise from Eating Problems .....

Any other input you have is always appreciated

Luvs
LYN
Posted 4/1/2007 10:40 AM (GMT 0)
My nan absolutly loves ice cream and anything sweet! She has a stash of chocolate and sweets beside her chair lol! I was getting worried about her only eating messes and icecream, not so worried now been reading this thread, thanks.
Posted 4/1/2007 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
Glad it put you at ease
You can make her some milkshakes with ensure or boost as well as ice cream to help with nutrition ....
Posted 4/2/2007 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
At some point if loved one is at home using a bottle will get some nutrition into them as well ...Padraig uses this Method for Jean and it works well for them ....

You can use a blender to make the food soft and pureed for easy feeding if they have problems as well
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