My mother is 99 years old and in excellent health. She takes only one thyroid pill a day, is mobile (with a walker) and her mind is better than mine.
But, when I take her to the Dr. for her checkups he is always telling her she needs to eat more. She says she eats what she wants. I sit there and feel guilty, like the Dr. wants to report me for elder abuse.
I’ve tried supplementing her diet with Boost or Ensure and she will drink it for a few days, then says she doesn’t want it.
I also know she isn’t drinking enough water, even though there is a cup of water near her all day long.
She has been with me for 17 years and while she is basically easy to care for, she still needs assistance getting up and down, getting dressed, with showers and hair care and toileting.
My mother is 88 and although I try to keep her overall meals reasonably healthy, I also believe in giving what she enjoys which in her case meals a hamburger with all the fixings, onion rings, and a milkshake at least once a week.