My mother quit eating a week ago. Very little fluids. How long does this last?

GMTP, glad Hospice is coming. Be well, hug your mom and be extra kind to yourself.

GvMercyToParent,
I am so sorry that you are having to experience such as major downhill health crisis of your Mother. I can understand why you asked the Dr for the IV since her health declined so rapidly.

I am glad that you are having Hospice evaluate your Mother tomorrow as it sounds like your Mother's declining health status is going to continue. Now is the time to make her as comfortable as possible. You might try little chunks of popsicles either ready-made or home-made from frozen Gatorade or juice.

God knows what you are going through...HE can renew your strength and restore your peace as you take shelter and comfort under HIS Holy wings of Love. God Bless.

Thank you all so much. Hospice is coming in tomorrow. Her day was better today, after getting the IV fluids, but the Dr said there will be good ones and bad ones, and that if there’s someone that needs to come visit her, they should come on the next few days.

We lost my mom two weeks ago. She went peacefully and without pain. She had hospice support for the last seven months of her life. Mom stopped eating, except for tiny bits, about 10 days before she died. She would also only take a few ounces of liquids. The last day, she spit out anything she was given. The hospice nurses told us that mom's body was shutting down and didn't want or need nourishment. It was hard to realize that we were about to lose her, however, mom had dementia and we had been losing her for a long time. I hope this information helps you. Please know that we are all thinking of you, and your mom, and praying for you, too.

Ask about hospice. The worst that can happen is that they say " no, not yet".

Will mom eat ices or ice cream? I fed my mom a lot of lemon ice during her last week. When she wouldnt/couldn't swallow that, I knew we were looking at the endgame.

I'm so sorry you're going through this difficult time. Hugs to you and your mom.

No one has mentioned hospice to me, but I’m beginning to wonder. I want her comfortable, and she’s not.

Dementia is her only health issue. Otherwise, has always been healthy. In a nursing home. I see her every day. On pain meds PRN. Had X-ray of abdomen. No problems. Had a UTI that is clearing up. We asked the Dr for the IV to see if this would help, since these drastic changes took place so very suddenly! Straight downhill. She never really sleeps. Just fidgets. She also pants a lot and stares at her hands. Drinking Gatorade for me but not a bite of anything. She was diagnosed with this Alzheimer’s about seven years ago. That’s really all I know. Thank you!!!

GvMercyToParent,
I am sorry that your Mom quit eating a week ago and that she drinks very little fluids and that the Dr put her on IV today.

Is Dementia your Mom’s only health problem? Has she had a stroke recently? Does she have a swallowing problem? Your Mom is in a Nursing Home, correct? Which doctor ordered the IV for your Mom and WHY?

Constant fidgeting can be a sign of discomfort or pain. Is your Mom receiving any pain medication either orally or rectally or as a patch? Has anyone mentioned a expected timeline for your Mom’s condition? Has anyone suggested that Hospice be contacted for an evaluation?

There are so many possible scenarios for your Mom's condition that I really need more information before I can give you more appropriate suggestions or answers to your question.

couldnt agree more with countrymouse,lost my precious mum in march she didnt eat or hardly drank just had sips of water for 6 weeks, i was.ed advised not to force her and she passed away peacefully because of no confrontation,i was so glad i listened to the professionals. my thoughts are with you,spend as much time as you can with her .

Did you request the IV? Or, did the doctor explain its purpose, are you happy that this is the best course of treatment for your mother? Don't hesitate to ask questions about anything that's troubling you.

I'm very sorry for what you're going through, and hope that she will soon seem more comfortable and less restless. It's fine to keep offering her little sips to drink as long as there's no choking risk, but don't force her of course. Please keep us updated.

Giv, this could mean that Mom’s body is shutting down. If this is the case, her body will not be able to handle food or liquids and to try to force them on her would make her very uncomfortable. If she is becoming agitated, maybe the facility’s physician could prescribe something for her. I know you said she was on Xanax, but it stopped working for me after a while too. I know it’s difficult to know what’s going on with her since she’s uncommunicative, but this is the time you need to trust and rely on her nurses and aides. I know this has been a long journey for you. Sending hugs.