...so the transition to the new facility has been challenging. Though I expected there to be some bumps, Dad has decided to protest by refusing to go to any meals. This facility will only deliver meals to the room if Dad is sick. Otherwise, they will charge a $10 per meal delivery fee. So far, Dad has been refusing to go to the dining room and opting to eat the snacks I provide him. I'm wondering if I should push back a little. When I was a kid and refused to eat, Dad would not force me. He knew that I would eventually get hungry and eat what was provided. Would it be cruel if those snacks just disappeared? I definitely want Dad to eat, but this seems like a tantrum to me. It's sometimes hard to tell if it's dementia or not. For instance, after repeated meltdowns today, I gave in and went to the facility. Dad gave me the biggest grin when he realized I made it to the facility before he could get on his scooter and ride to the main entrance. He then said "Well, you can just bring me dinner." I see this move as a new opportunity to cut the umbilical cord. I created a monster at the first facility due to my own guilt with placing Dad there. I gave in to every whim. If Dad didn't eat the food, I would actually COOK something and bring it to him only for him to not eat it because he forgot he asked me to prepare a meal. I want this to be a way for me to use the help I struggle to pay for more, so I want to push back a little. I don't want to starve the man, but my thoughts are that he will eventually eat when he gets hungry. The staff is awesome about reminding him it's meal time, but if he says he doesn't want to go, they don't make him. So... should I push back a little? Maybe if Dad has no other alternatives, he'll eat in the dining room.
When dad phones, because he wont eat, tell a fib. That you had to go out of state. That you are in the hospital for a few days. Anything you may think will work. Inform the facility that you cannot come by for a few days (sort of a 'back up' plan)
When you do go FORGET the snacks (or at least say you have) because you had a head ache - or something cropped up. Suggest that you have a meal with him in the facilities dining area. You can both go there together. But not too often.
Good Luck
Did he eat in the dining hall in the old facility? Do you know why he is resisting it here? Is he shy? Does he hate hauling the oxygen around? Has another resident been unkind (or what he perceives as unkind) to him? Does he hate the food? If you could get at his reasoning you MIGHT be able to address it. For example, if he claims the food is all starch and mush and he hates it, showing him that he can order a salad and/or soup instead of the daily feature might help. Remind him that he could just eat the dessert or fruit.
Is he a bargain lover? If you point out that he is paying for the food, whether he eats it or not, might that motivate him to get his money's worth? Does he know how much it costs to have meal brought to the room? (That would sure stop me!)
The "he'll eat when he is hungry" works with kids IF they don't have access to junk. If they can take a package of Oreos to their room after the table is cleared, that approach might not have the desired effect. Are there vending machines? Are there cookies or rolls left out by the coffee station? If you stop bringing snacks that would certainly cut down on what is available, but how accessible is a can of Coke or a cherry danish? On the other hand, if he lives on Coke and sweet rolls and Oreo cookies the rest of his life, would that be so bad? He is not a growing child.
In any case, this is not your problem to solve. You could make some low-pressure attempts at casual conversation about it (or not) but whether and how much Dad eats is not your responsibility. You can be confident that he is not going to starve.
I am so pleased that you realize the value of pushing back a little!
Since the place is new, Dad is not coming out of his room much. The activities guy keeps asking him if he wants to do stuff and he refuses. Part of it is the oxygen, but he is the ONLY resident I've seen with the nice, compact portable shoulder bag tank. Everyone else rolls happily around with the (cheaper) cylinders on wheels and are fine.
I did this. Whenever Dad played the "I'm lonely" card, I would come running--to my own detriment. I can't do that anymore.
The facility's food is great, and they are willing to attempt to accommodate Dad by preparing one of the five things Dad will eat.
It's like something snapped in me. I've jumped through hoops for this man and all I get is either constant complaints or him making me his activity manager. I used to be thrilled when he said "It's just me and you kid" or "I'm only happy when you're around". Now I roll my eyes in frustration.
He's in a building full of very nice people who we PAY to take very good care of him and make things available so he's not lonely. I'm at the point where if he decides to sit in the room and rot, that's his choice.
I won't be buying him as many snacks. While it's not the end of the world if he eats junk all day, the fact that I'm paying for food there AND outside food doesn't make much sense to me. I feel like I'm rewarding bad behavior.
...we'll see what happens, but I'm using this move as a clean slate. My life came to a screeching halt four years ago when I started this journey. At only 40, I have too much life to live. I'm reclaiming it.
Either he'll settle in or he won't. If he needs Nursing Home care, I'm sure this facility will tell you that.
Sorry to say, it's time for you to let go of this rope.
Certainly not every day, but once in a while eating with him in the dining room at a table with other residents might help the room seem more familiar to him. I don't mean to add more visits, but to try this when you are visiting anyway. Chat with the others at the table.
Do accept that you can't be with him all the time and you can't micromanage his days.
(at first I read your headline and laughed my head off. He won't go to the dining room. Should I stop bringing tasty snacks to his room? Ya think???!!!)
... have you tried the dining room yourself? What's the food like? What are the other diners like? Is this that he has tried it and didn't like it, or that he won't even try it?
Maybe one evening or at the weekend you could ask to join him there for supper/lunch?
Something tells me he might settle in better.
This then puts me in a tailspin "Did I put it in a place where he can find it?" "Is Dad just confused?" "Oh no! Is he putting cleaning supplies in his hair!" "Is this a cheap ploy to get me to visit?" I find that I ruminate over these little details for hours and not get any work done. Talking to him literally makes my hands shake. This CAN'T BE HEALTHY.
I told him to ask someone to help him (which he probably won't), but I'm realizing I can't do it anymore. If things get really bad, I'll ask the hospice team to help with ADL's (he currently refuses the help).
This is hard on both of us. I've catered to this man since I was six years old, but I PAY people to take care of him and I am realizing I need to let them do it.
Ugh... tough love is not easy at all.
While my goal is to encourage rather than force, I honestly think Dad is being ridiculous. If I were to bring in a meal, he would gobble it right down. He just wants things HIS way.
I'm going to see if I can visit Sunday and have lunch with him in the dining room. After that he's on his own, but no more snacks. I spend about $40/month on oatmeal creme pies, snack size potato chips, chocolate pudding and sodas. Maybe if those options aren't available, he will eat something else.
I'm realizing a lot of this is driven by my own guilt and feeling not-good-enough. Dad was losing weight, so I decided to provide him a bunch of calorie rich foods to try to put some weight on him. Isn't it ironic that he wouldn't even remotely try the things the ALF offered (Ensures, Magic Cup Ice Cream)--stating that he "forgot" those foods were available, but can remember where the daughter provided snacks are ALL THE TIME (what's that? selective dementia?)
I'm interested to see how Dad will behave if I eat with him. I'll keep you posted.