Christine,  This is a timely post for a few of us, it seems.  My mother has been having these problems since February.  Things like applesauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, sloppy joes, oatmeal with butter and milk, cream soups, creamed corn and of course, ice cream seem to work just fine.  It's the hundred or so other items that are problematic.  Strangely, my mom can handle a grilled cheese sandwich, except for the crust.  Mom spits out meat and vegetables that aren't mushy soft.  For now, drinking juice and Ensure is working fairly well, too.  She does occasionally cough when some goes down the wrong way.  We won't be doing the feeding tube since mom stated that she didn't want to be kept alive by artificial means if she was ever determined to be terminally ill.  Her chronic stage 4 kidney disease combined with advanced dementia makes the decision crystal clear and the difficulties that would ensue are what she wanted to avoid.  I continue to spoon feed her until she refuses to eat any more.  It's becoming a struggle and Hospice is amazed at my tenacity and mom's cooperativeness, up to a point.  She has lived a week since they had predicted 24-48 hours for her.  I should point out that the nurse was clear that she couldn't absolutely say for sure, but this was in the context of me saying whatever final words I had that needed to be said to her before she passed.  I do appreciate their suggestion and have heeded that advice.  I have said my special words to mom and know that I won't feel badly later due to procrastination.  She is at peace it seems and so am I.  The rest is in God's hands.  I'm sure that the end isn't far off, but I'm doing my best to keep her going.  Thank you for this post.  Best Wishes,  --  Joe  --