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III. When We Tour. APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
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V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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It can be. There is one lady at my mother's nursing home who I feel so sorry for, she has no idea if she is hungry or not and if left alone she will sit at the table and not eat or will get up and leave the dining room without eating anything. There are several others who have to be rounded up and brought to the dining room multiple times before they will finally sit and eat. If your mom is at home you have a lot more flexibility because she doesn't need to eat on a schedule, some ideas are to provide lots of tiny snacks throughout the day, allow her to have her favourites as often as she likes (for example pb&j for breakfast, lunch and dinner if she will eat it), look to boost calories with everything she puts in her mouth (greek yogurt vs regular, cream vs milk, nutrient dense nuts and nut butters etc) and consider adding supplements like boost or ensure.
Abby, your profile says that your mom lives independently, is that right? One of the features of some dementias is lack of initiative, people know that something needs to be done - like preparing a meal and eating - but they can't seem to get started, this can also cause problems with hygiene and medication management. It sounds as though she needs to have more supervision
If the mild-mid stage dementia is at an early enough stage for mother to be living independently, I wouldn't have thought that dementia would be the first culprit you'd think of when it comes to loss of appetite with weight loss - though, yes, of course, it could be that. What does mother's PCP/GP say? How is her health otherwise?
My mom died 3 weeks ago..that is how she started her declining..food just dnt interest them anymore..she when from eating some days and not other days..loss weight was hospice big worry..this lasted about 6 mths and then not eating or drinking at all..I miss my mom so much..
In a word, yes. My mother lost about 50 lbs. after an Alzheimer's diagnosis . She didn't eat as much and eventually had difficulty swallowing and had to have a pureed diet.
I agree with motherof5. My mom died 2 days before Christmas and hospice was called in during the summer due to a weight loss and eating decline. Seemed odd to me but hospice knows the signs. If she is still at home, this could be a more difficult issue. I miss my mother more than words can say.
My mother is 87. She does not have dementia, and, over the past few years she has lost most desire for eating. She survives on Orgain -- which is a brand of protein shakes with vitamin supplementation. These have sustained her for the past 4 years. She lives here in my home and I have given her 5 of these every day. She takes and drinks these, but rarely will have any initiative to drink one on her own. I am also able to get her to have a bit of greek yogurt every day, because I crush her pills and mix them into the yogurt. I highly recommend the Orgains, since they have much less sugar than Ensure or Boost and are tasty as well.
harryp, thanks for mentioning Orgain, I have several times too. It’s as much what’s not in it, as what’s in it. The Ensure and Boost list of ingredients are creepy. I watch the prices on Amazon and can sometimes get a 12-pack for $23. I keep these stocked at Mom’s house, and remind her they’re there for whenever she’s not sure what she wants... which is happening ever more frequently. She has diabetes 2 and does a number on her blood sugar by skipping meals. abby, good luck, there are some very good tips here. Thanks everyone.
I took my 90 year old mom to Dr.'s and even a trip to the ER, where the answer always seemed to be, she's old, old people just don't eat. Finally the last trip to the ER, I insisted that they run more tests and we weren't leaving until they found out what was going on, after an MRI, they discovered she had colon cancer, they did surgery that night and besides having a bag to deal with she's gaining weight and eating again. make sure it's not a medical condition that is making her not want to eat.
If your Mom is living on her own, you say independently not sure if that is in her home or yours. It sounds like she is past the point of living on her own. She sooner rather than later will need 24/7 supervision at any rate.
Not eating or eating less is one sign of decline. Some dementia patients can not recall if they have eaten so they either do not eat since they may have already had a meal or they will eat constantly not remembering that they have just eaten. Also meal preparation is very confusing there are a lot of steps and some of those steps can be a dangerous undertaking for someone with dementia. Sharp knives, stove, oven. Not recalling something is hot, if the stove is on, is it off, is the food properly cooked so it is safe to eat.
Since weight loss is a sign of decline it is possible that your Mom is Hospice eligible I would give one or two Hospice's a call and find out if she is eligible. They can guide you through the declines as well as help with supplies and equipment.
Start with a thorough medical examination if she hasn't had one already. Once medical issues are ruled out, follow with a thorough neurological examination to make sure her dementia hasn't progressed more than you think. People with dementia lose weight for many reasons, including disinterest in food, forgetting to eat or forgetting the last time they ate, lack of initiation, wandering (burns lots of calories, even if she's wandering in her home). Hard as it may be, it sounds as though she needs more supervision.
I agree with 1952aprilfool; get a medical evaluation for this problem.
Dementia can also be the cause of weight loss and lack of interest in food. It could be lack of appetite, loss of memory, lack of initiative, or a change in how food smells and tastes, or some combination.
When I could still leave my husband for a few hours at a time to go into work, I would leave a cold lunch for him in the fridge. He didn't even have to heat anything up. I'd call around noon and ask how he liked the turkey sandwich. "Oh. I forgot about it. I'll eat it now." I'd come home and the sandwich was still in the fridge. He wasn't having a problem swallowing and he'd eat dinner with me just fine. But he didn't have the memory and/or initiative to get his own lunch, even to just take a prepared plate out of the fridge.
AbbyRose, does someone eat with your mother? Does she eat better when she has company?
Another problem for my husband came a little later. He completely lost his sense of smell, and therefore food no longer tasted the same. Eating was a chore, not a pleasure. Eating high-calorie things that were either very spicy or sweet was helpful. He liked milkshakes made with ice cream, a packet of Carnation Breakfast powder, fruit, and a enough milk to make it a good thickness. One of his favorites was chocolate ice cream, chocolate Carnation, a banana, milk, and some chocolate sauce. He liked canned peaches with everything else vanilla, too. I always put hot sauce out for his meals, too. A little sriracha never hurt tomato soup!
This was my husband's problem. He went from 140 to 109. But every time he ate certain foods he would get pain in his chest and upper right abdomen. We found out he had a GB problem and had it removed. Now he eats but half of what he use to eat. I don't attribute it to his dementia but just a loss of appetite and I find if I make all of his favorite foods, he eats better. He loves his breakfast so I make him a fairly good breakfast and I switched dinner to his lunch. He still won't eat anything at night except a cup of tea and a snack but he isn't as afraid to eat as he once was with his gallstones. His doctor suggested milk shakes instead of Ensure and he really loves the shakes but I'm afraid his appetite will not get back to what it use to be. I look at other elderly gentleman at Church who look very robust and wonder why the difference between them and my husband but as my husband once said, not everyone is at the same level of health regardless of age. My husband is in mid-dementia, slowly going into his final stage.
My mom has dementia and we were told she was sort of depressed. They placed her on a mild doze of anti depressant (mirtazapine) which increased her appetite. We also give her boost which can be purchased at Sam's Club if you have one in your area. They are sold by the case which I believe has around 24 bottles. It runs around $29.00 which is a much better value than 12 for $23.
We thought Mom was not eating much even after she moved to her cafe facility because of the habits developed when she lived alone. ie. forgetting to eat, logistics of meal prep, shopping etc. Even when balanced, appealing meals were served on white table linens, Mom continued to eat very little. It turned out that when we requested a review of meds and replaced Seroquel with Remeron, her appetite and weight have increased. Check out the side effects of all meds. Good luck.
Dental issues can also impact what and how much they are eating. And if they have lost a lot of weight and wear dentures, they can start to not fit right. Check everything, and eat with mom whenever you can. Also other conditions can prevent a larger meal. I would try to buy quick easy smaller food options.....like shrimp cocktail. I could get 10 large shrimp with sauce. She could graze....2 as a snack...2 more at dinner time....that kind of thing. When you visit, make a sandwich, cut it in fours, and put it in the fridge separated on two plates. Call her later to remind her to take a plate out and nibble. Eventually, if it's dementia, she will need more help than that, but if your mom is an independent soul as mine is, you can buy more time for her life to be on her own terms. Think creatively!
This could well be a symptom of the dementia. Please check with her Dr about depression, and vitamin levels. My mother is in late stage dementia, and total care, been taking care of her 10 years. Also check for dsyphagia sometimes it is just hard for them to swallow so the don't want to eat. Best of luck. Bless you
My dad was always a stocky, muscular, athletic guy. He did have to watch his weight. His "ideal" weight was around 165 or so (he is short). He is mid-stage dementia and now struggles to keep his weight over 130. He was only 125 lbs when we moved him to a memory care facility a year ago. He used to eat light foods, lots of veggies, fish, etc. Now he eats more "comfort food" type of stuff that is fattening - more meat and potatoes. Also eats lots of candy, desserts and drinks a Starbucks frappuccino daily. He is downright gaunt despite the calorie intake.
That is what happened with my Mom. Stopped eating completely-barely took in fluids. I would swab her mouth to keep her somewhat comfortable. She was in the later stages.
Motherof5, my mother died 2 months ago. She, likewise, had dementia and loss of appetite at the end. I miss her so much. There is not a day goes by that I don't shed tears. :(
my mom did the same she could no longer cook she couldn't remember but the real problem was she had 4 broken rotten teeth which made it painful. we bought soft foods and she ate those. check teeth
I think it might be. My mother lost over 100 pounds over a few years time. She was a big woman and could use some loss, but it seemed odd anyway. I was noticing mental decline, but her doctor didn't see it and neither did anyone else. I tried many things but she just kept losing. Now that she is in Assisted Living, the loss has slowed. The dementia is more obvious though. She is more inclined to eat when others are eating around her.
Rule out any cancer even though though her age can cause not to hungry. Give some Ensure or Boosts to drink three times a day. It has lots of Proteins and helps to gain muscles.
Agree with others. It can be part of dementia, but it can be a result of other health issues - illness, dental problems, and even depression. Older people can develop problems swallowing, too, which discourages them from eating. Plus older people do lose their ability to taste certain things, so it can also be a question of finding something they will enjoy.
I make milkshakes for mom out of meal replacement drinks, protein powder, and loads of ice cream. (Those drinks are not that great-tasting! The ice cream helps a lot.) I told her it was "doctor's orders," so she now drinks one per day, every day. It's not really enough calories or nutrients, but it helps, and it's in addition to the few things she WILL eat - basically doughnuts, crackers, cottage cheese, and sometimes solid cheese or peanut butter (on the crackers). Her lack of appetite and refusal to eat "normal" meals is a combination of dementia, end stage renal disease, trouble swallowing, and clinical depression.
I’m going to say that it is a symptom of dementia rather then of getting old. Both my parents have lost a lot of weight since being diagnosed. Sense of smell and taste are affected along with memory of whether or not they have eaten. For my mom the milkshakes don’t work because she has issues with textures and consistencies of foods as well. Whenever either parent does seem to enjoy what they are eating, I let them eat as long as they want to. Ironic thing is, the more weight my folks lose, I seem to gain! I ended up eating their high calorie -high fat comfort foods trying to “ model” eating for them to copy. Finally, I’ve realized that this may be nature’s way of preparing them for the end of life. I offer food and drinks and even place cups in their hands but after a sip of liquid, they are satisfied. I’ve tried water bottles to carry around but they put them down and forget about them a couple of seconds later. Short of IV nutrition and liquids, not really sure how one gets another to stay hydrated or fed constantly.
Dementia is like taking a short cut through the forest that misses the lovely waterfall you went there to see in the first place - the taste/enjoyment of the food doesn't get through to the pleasure centre which in turn keep our appetite up thus a visious circle on the food department - others with dementia have other issues they struggle with that are not so noticable - her dementia may be deeper than you think
My 86 year old mother has a form of dementia which so far has only caused short term memory loss. However, this has affected her ability to cook her own meals as she has trouble getting started with meal preparation, remembering what she has or is going to cook, etc. The result was she started eating less and her weight started declining.
We have started bringing meals several times a week and freezing our own leftovers which can be thawed on busy evenings for a quick, easy and still nutritious meal. A dry erase board has a list of all the meals on hand. If time allows, sitting down with company seems to be the best solution to getting her to eat more. Ensure or Instant Breakfast drinks are good supplements but only if she can remember to drink them! We also make sure there are plenty of her favorite candies, nuts, popcorn, etc. out in clear containers and she tends to nibble on these throughout the day.
I pray you find a solution that helps with your mother, too.
MIL has Alzheimer's and lived with us past 6 years. We have caregivers who are patient & can coax Mom to eat. Three years ago she quit eating for 2 weeks, & hospice came in. We discovered Orgain & she loved it (chilled!) and started eating again. Hospice discharged her. Now she is struggling to remember how to swallow solids but can do thickened water/soups and puréed food and still loves her Vanilla Vegan Orgain. We are getting less food into her now but she is still thriving on that Orgain. Bless our patient caregivers who come give me respite 6 hours per day and also patiently spend an hour per meal getting nutrition into her.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
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APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
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APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
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If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
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This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
This hopefully should help her blood sugars.
Not eating or eating less is one sign of decline. Some dementia patients can not recall if they have eaten so they either do not eat since they may have already had a meal or they will eat constantly not remembering that they have just eaten.
Also meal preparation is very confusing there are a lot of steps and some of those steps can be a dangerous undertaking for someone with dementia. Sharp knives, stove, oven. Not recalling something is hot, if the stove is on, is it off, is the food properly cooked so it is safe to eat.
Since weight loss is a sign of decline it is possible that your Mom is Hospice eligible I would give one or two Hospice's a call and find out if she is eligible. They can guide you through the declines as well as help with supplies and equipment.
Dementia can also be the cause of weight loss and lack of interest in food. It could be lack of appetite, loss of memory, lack of initiative, or a change in how food smells and tastes, or some combination.
When I could still leave my husband for a few hours at a time to go into work, I would leave a cold lunch for him in the fridge. He didn't even have to heat anything up. I'd call around noon and ask how he liked the turkey sandwich. "Oh. I forgot about it. I'll eat it now." I'd come home and the sandwich was still in the fridge. He wasn't having a problem swallowing and he'd eat dinner with me just fine. But he didn't have the memory and/or initiative to get his own lunch, even to just take a prepared plate out of the fridge.
AbbyRose, does someone eat with your mother? Does she eat better when she has company?
Another problem for my husband came a little later. He completely lost his sense of smell, and therefore food no longer tasted the same. Eating was a chore, not a pleasure. Eating high-calorie things that were either very spicy or sweet was helpful. He liked milkshakes made with ice cream, a packet of Carnation Breakfast powder, fruit, and a enough milk to make it a good thickness. One of his favorites was chocolate ice cream, chocolate Carnation, a banana, milk, and some chocolate sauce. He liked canned peaches with everything else vanilla, too. I always put hot sauce out for his meals, too. A little sriracha never hurt tomato soup!
I make milkshakes for mom out of meal replacement drinks, protein powder, and loads of ice cream. (Those drinks are not that great-tasting! The ice cream helps a lot.) I told her it was "doctor's orders," so she now drinks one per day, every day. It's not really enough calories or nutrients, but it helps, and it's in addition to the few things she WILL eat - basically doughnuts, crackers, cottage cheese, and sometimes solid cheese or peanut butter (on the crackers). Her lack of appetite and refusal to eat "normal" meals is a combination of dementia, end stage renal disease, trouble swallowing, and clinical depression.
We have started bringing meals several times a week and freezing our own leftovers which can be thawed on busy evenings for a quick, easy and still nutritious meal. A dry erase board has a list of all the meals on hand. If time allows, sitting down with company seems to be the best solution to getting her to eat more. Ensure or Instant Breakfast drinks are good supplements but only if she can remember to drink them! We also make sure there are plenty of her favorite candies, nuts, popcorn, etc. out in clear containers and she tends to nibble on these throughout the day.
I pray you find a solution that helps with your mother, too.