I have a question? My mother has early onset alzheimers and has had it for 8 years now. She eats a lot, and a variety of fruits, good meals, etc, but she has lost a lot of weight over the last year or two and doesn't seem to be able to gain any weight. I fed her huge meals one week and she gained barely a pound. Is this normal? We have other relatives thinking she is not being fed or something.. I thought this may be normal in the later stages.
I'd appreciate any replies. You can email me at: kitty.callie@yahoo.com
Lisa Marie
Hi
I suppose the first thing you need to think about is whether her weight loss is due to the amount of energy she uses up in everyday living. Even if she eats well it could be she burns up a lot of calories. People with Alzheimer's can spend a lot of time walking around etc.
Her weight loss may not be the result of Alzheimer's. People with Alzheimer's can get sick too and there are a number of illnesses where weight loss is a symptom. The main causes are from depression, cancer, heart disease, and from gastrointestinal diseases. Some medications can also have side effects and weight loss can result. Usually there are other symptoms besides weight loss but not always.
A visit to her doctor would be good just to get her checked out. Weight loss can make the elderly more vulnerable to infections
Christine
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.
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.