My dad is in the very late stage of Alzheimer's and it is really a struggle for us to get him to eat. Just a few weeks ago, he was doing better, but now he is no longer eating (problems swallowing so we have introduced more of a liquid diet) unless we force some food so he can have at least something in his stomach. He has lost a lot of weight within just a few weeks. To give a general idea, his physical look is the same as those pictures you might have seen from WW2 with people in concentration camps, it is very worrisome. Can somebody give me ideas on how to feed him considering the circumstances? Taking him to the hospital is out of the question, he was there about a month ago and they did not properly took care of him, they even told me to go and get him since they could not help on his situation. Any info would be very appreciated.Thank you, Vicky
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Q: Dad in very late stage of Alzheimer's - A struggle for us to get him to eat.
Hi, Vicky,
I agree with Nina that it seems that your father is now in a place in which your family is going to have to decide about bringing in Hospice or considering a feeding tube. We also had a similar issue with Mom right before she died. It wasn't easy. I was able at times to get her to eat a fruit smoothie and the nursing home had her on a thickened diet. I do know how hard it is to watch this decline. You also may want to ask your father's doctor about a timeline of how long he has to live under the current circumstances. That might help your family make a decision.
Take care and keep us posted!
Dorian
I am not expert but I thought this is when the hospice comes in. I am surprised that the hospital didn't tell you about that choice. In this stage as he cannot eat well, it is feeding tube or hospice. It is all up to the family. I cannot think that the hospital would say they can do nothing... There are options. Hospice may not mean death right away but they can help you to feed him or make him suffer less.
Please talk to his doctor or the social worker in the hospital.
Take care,
Nina
Hi My name is Vickie also. I know where you are coming from. It is so hard to see someone you love slowly leave you. I lost my mother inlaw May 7.2009. She was in her last stages of alzheimers since December 2008. It was so hard to see her just slowly dye. And there was time all we could do for her is be there. And try are best to get her eat and drink. I agree you need hospic if all posible. It is so hard when they cant eat or swallow. Because they can choke so easy. They for get what they are doing you might try mighty shake they got alot of protein in them.
You will have good days and bad ones. I know my mother inlaw was on purfied food and liquid drinks also. But it got where she didnt want it. She suffer a major heart attack. And it was so hard to see her suffer. You might call hospic hot line number and may be they can help you. My prayers are with you. I havent wrote on here since my mother past. So take one day at a time.
Vickie (Daughter Inlaw from IN
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Thank you Nina, I will try again to see if I can get any help from a doctor.
Sadly, yes, the hospital did not offer any help and worse, the social worker even suggested we had just left him in the ER to get rid of him. I was there the whole time with him...I even had to quit my job in order to care for him.
Thank you again Nina.