Why does my Mom (85) with dementia eat lots of sweets?

I don't think craving sweets is just for the elderly. My cousin became obsessed with sweet treats years before she developed significant dementia at age 62!

For me chocolate boosts a sneezing fit each time... but well worth it :)

Chocolate boosts serotonin. That's a fact.

I think some elders like a lot of sweets, dementia or not, because their sense of taste is disappearing as they age, but they can still taste sugary items. And note that certain medicines can have an affect on taste buds, changing how something can taste.

My parents are in fairly good health for being in their 90's, no major issues with memory.... any time I get my Mom's weekly grocery list she has checked off Little Debbie's Fudge Rounds; Little Debbie's Zeba; Entenmann's chocolate chip muffins [buy one get one free]; Pepperidge Farm soft cookies; Tasty Cake chocolate cupcakes; store made apple pie; fudge ripple ice cream; etc. I honestly believe my parents have *dessert* after every meal :P

As for the meds changing one's taste buds, last week I was on some powerful antibiotics and I was surprised how bland my favorite frozen mac & cheese tasted, had to throw it out. Now that I am off said antibiotics, stuff is starting to taste normal again :)

Sorry for the short reply, some reason it posted before I was ready.

I'm sorry you've lost so many of your close family members, that can't be easy. I'm sure you're doing the best you can do, but your mother may need more than that as time goes by. Is there someone else who can check up on her in between your visits? Be sure you or someone else gets durable and medical powers of attorney before too much time passes. She will need more and more help making good choices as time goes by.

For the same reason I like sweets. Because they taste better.

However, her diet will suffer and she will become vitamin deficient and she will gain weight if all she eats is sweets. She will eat whatever you bring as soon as you bring it.