Maintaining weight/not able to gain weight during late stages of alzheimers

THanks for your reply. Do most people with alzheimers end up really skinny toward the end of their disease? (later stages)? I took care of a woman with lymes disease in the past and she was the same way, but she did eat huge meals. I thought it was due to her body dying off, so I thought this must be the same thing with my mom. However, her doctor I don't think is very good, we've brought this up to him many times and he acts like it's nothing...

Hi

 

Yes, it was my experience that people with Alzheimer's disease in the late stages of Alzheimer's lost weight over time. This was due to problems with getting them to take an adequate diet, feeding problems, poor appetite, swallowing difficulties, and general ill health.

 

Try increasing her intake of fattening foods such as pasta, potatoes, bread etc. It may not make her put weight on but it might help maintain a healthy or the weight she is at present. Go back to her doctor if you are worried

 

Christine

Thanks for your help. My mom is actually only 98 pounds, maybe less and a size 4 now. We are going to make an appt with her doctor.

I think that would be a good idea. 98 pounds, size 4 does sound like she is underweight

I would be interested to hear how you get on. 

 

Christine

thanks. my dad is taking her to the doctor tomorrow. will have to post what he says, though their doctor doesn't seem to care much about his patients.

Then you need to find another doctor. My mom has early alzheimers and has lost a lot of weight in the past few months. She has had gastro issues, so she's seeing a specialist and undergoing an ultrasound this week. There are so many things that can cause unintentional weight loss - cancer, parasite, heart disease, etc.

I grandma has had alzheimers for going on 15 yrs and her weight has got me scared she weighs about 80 to 90 lbs and when i first started to take care of her about 5 yrs ago i could not lift her but now she cant walk and I have to carry her to her chair now. Her doc says that it is caused by the disease but he is like your mom's doc acts like he dont care. I wish u luck.