How do I get mom to eat after her stroke?

Depression is a likely problem here. Your anxiety is understandable as you are used to her living with you and now you don't have that constant contact.

So much depends on the stage of each disease. Are other organs in her body shutting down so she doesn't want food? Or is she not eating because it's too difficult (likely) and food doesn't appeal to her?

Liquid nutritional supplements are often used during this stage. Also, puddings, jello and fruits are light and can sometimes be taken. Does she choke? She may be afraid to try eating if she chokes.

I would try to figure out what is behind her not wanting food, however in her case it is likely several things. Talking with her doctor and the dietician at the facility are good ideas. There may be ways to temp her and foods which work for her. Forcing her will only backfire. Everyone needs to encourage without forcing, and give her as much liquid as she'll take.

It's distressing when we want our loved ones to eat and they won't. Finding out why they won't eat is important. When someone is nagged too much it just upsets them and then they are less likely to want food.

Remember that hydration is the most important thing for her. If her situation qualifies for hospice care, you may want to look into that. A good hospice has great understanding of the stages of these diseases. If she is in an earlier stage of all the diseases than that, then working with a therapist and a dietician may help.


Take care,
Carol

((Hugs)) to you lorene. I think that she is telling you it is time to let go. What are the nursing home staff and docs telling you? I think that the fact that they have removed her medications is telling, they could find ways to administer them if they felt it would help. Refusing food is common toward the end. I think you should let her have her ensure if she asks for it, but don't force food. Has anyone suggested hospice??

For some reason or another, strokes ( ischemic) appear to attack the left side of the brain, therefore, the patient experiences loss of movement on the right side of the limbs......hands and legs. Physical therapy is needed to "work" the right sided limbs and hands so that they will not atrophy. Now as far as speech is concerned, you can have speech therapy also, and it will do some good FOR AWHILE/... then unfortunately, the patient will not want to speak, not because of depression, but because it will take too much of an effort to do so. Then, she won't be able to speak. This is a long way off yet. Hand gesturing is very important. You can set up your own "signals" between the two of you, or you can use the standard ASL. Pointing is very important too. Please pray for stroke victims......now, and at the hour of their death, amen.

My mother had her second stroke weak ago. She is 77 years old. She doesn't want to eat anything. We try the ensure, but she spills it out. She drinks water some. Her first stroke was mild. She was eating and almost time for her to walk in no time until her second stroke hits her. :(((((((((((

my father, age 79, just had a small stroke two weeks ago. He is doing better and is in a rehab facility, but he wont eat. We cant really get too much out of him as he gets agitated at getting asked a lot of questions. I know he has always been stubborn but i am really worried because he doesnt even eat the equivalent of a full meal thru out the day. He does have a bit of a tremor so it's hard for him to hold a utensil, so i am sure that some of this is frustration on his part? Any ideas?
thanks
Paul

get a hourly or live in caregiver to attend to her needs, what locations are you at?
you should check your local area for more information.

When my mother did not want to eat one thing that worked was to cut up the food into small pieces and put on a serving plate that she could take what she wanted to also she would use crarnation instant breakfast which is cheaper than ensure and if she wants to skip some meals that is alright you need to keep it low keyed sometimes puddings will taste good to someone who has a lack of appetite.

My mother had a stroke 4 1/2 years ago,and she has a GE I
teach her to eat again,apple sauce, pudding,sweet potato,fruits,she loves papaya,mango etc.
but now she is constipated and my brothers say that is because I'm giving food
I'am so upset and want to know,if I'm wrong because for mi is a big family problem,answer me pleas

Both my parents required spoon feeding at one time or another. My dad needed an appetite stimulate and was malnourished due to his albumin levels being off. Neither ever had a stroke. You must be careful when feeding a patient that they are able to swallow as they can aspirate the food And develop aspiration pneumonia and die from that. Go slow. The food may taste good to them or they could simply be responding like a baby bird. They may have an appetite but not be able to swallow or properly digest the food. It's possible you could be feeding them at that point to make yourself feel better. In an effort to keep them we want them to eat and be well. But they can also be too tired or weak to feed themselves. My FIL was tube fed after a head trauma and recovered and lived another 10 years. It makes us felt better when they eat but if they are ready to go it won't keep them here.

I am having the same problem with my Mom. She had a relatively minor stroke (right side, affects the left) then, few weeks later, a heart attack and they placed two stents. She basically stopped eating after the stroke and after the heart attack she was way over medicated and wound up in the hospital again. She has lost almost 30 pounds since the stroke at the end of November. I was hoping that the meds were causing loss of appetite, nausea, etc. but the weird thing is that she wants to eat but can't stand stand the feel of food in her mouth! I think maybe one (or more )of the meds caused a bad taste and she developed an aversion. Has anyone ever heard of or had this experience?