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Pattijean Asked September 2016

How long can someone last when they start refusing meals?

Lately my mom, 102 years old, has started to sleep through meals and refuse medication and even having her teeth put in. Around noon she wakes up a bit and eats maybe some soup or a pudding. This has been going on for over a week. How long can the body last on such little sustenance? I worry if I miss a day that will be the day she goes. I feel guilt but I am tired and stressed at seeing her sitting in her wheelchair and just sleeping and drooling. Does anyone know how much the body can last without proper nourishment?

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DDDuck Sep 2016
I suggest you take her to emergency room if they decide she is a failure to thrive or other diagnosis they may put in a peg or gastroeintestinal feeding tube in her stomach where you can feed her via specific formula; in any case the iv fliuds wont hurt. also try ensure it comes in different flavors and give pedialyte or adult mineral and electrolyte fluids. Now I am reading she is in a nursing home . I dont understand why they dont refer her for a peg if she is not eating, I would persist on them addressing thisl
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Pattijean Sep 2016
A hospice has refused her since she is in a nursing home with supposedly palliative care (not so much that I see). We do get some fluids into her on a daily basis and she seems very thirsty at times and will drink. Not sure if it is more to please us or not.
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pamstegma Sep 2016
Not long. Do you know how to check for dehydration? Can you ask the MD to send a visiting nurse? You could call Hospice for an evaluation, too. Get some stress relief by bringing in someone for an impartial opinion.
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