Mom with dementia is always hungry and forgets she ate even 2 minutes later. What do I do?

Ok, so the new med (mirtazapine) makes her hungrier, and moodier, as in more anger. This was not what she needed and now, if they increase her med, will it increase everything? ! I was looking for something to help her sleep. SMH.

I have begun to halve her lunch and I always have fruit cups on hand. I guess the way I look at it, every time she walks in to the kitchen she is hungry for something, and no matter how many times I've told her to just say "I'm hungry or thirsty" it just doesn't stick.

I don't clear the plates very quickly so it's a visual cue that my dad just ate. Sorry you are dealing with this.

Thanks. Its comforting to know I'm not alone with this. If you tell her she just ate, she gets an attitude and says "if you day so" now I tell we'll be eating soon.

That's what happen with my mom, she stated forget that she was eating 5 minutes ago, started another meal, then finally it get her to aspiration pneumonia as her esophagus was already damaged....I tried all kind of words nothing works, so finally Hospital, feeding tube, now slowly back to puree but in a facility, I have no idea how I can managed this once more at home....Hard and sad.

That's what happen with my mom, she started forget that she was eating 5 minutes ago, started another meal, then finally it get her to aspiration pneumonia as her esophagus was already damaged....I tried all kind of words nothing works, so finally Hospital, feeding tube, now slowly back to puree but in a facility, I have no idea how I can managed this once more at home....Hard and sad.

All I can say is I feel for you, as I am going through the same exact thing with my mother which is far into vascular dementia. She will like one thing one day and not the next, pickup a banana and eat it then turn right around and ask if she can have a banana because "those sure look good."
God help them both and teach us how to help them. Amen

Rainey9 is she moving around at all that's important for retaining fluid. If her heart is failing it may be lack of oxygen causing the memory to fail.

Thanks everyone. Mom has a tendency to hide food in drawers. She is already on lasix. I think she's at the point where her brain doesn't let her know she is full.

I keep a lot of fruit cups on hand, a variety of them, but I don't know how healthy they are, but I drain the juice.

Best of luck to you and your mom!

Some people who have dementia have this "behavior" where they are "always hungry" and "they forget that they just ate". The other posters have given you some great suggestions for snacks. By keeping a bowl of dry cereal such as Cheerios, (or small crackers such "Minis" Club Crackers: 17 crackers = 150mg of Sodium or "Snack Sticks" Club Crackers: 19 crackers = 200mg of Sodium), or fresh/frozen fruits or vegetables within your Mother's sight, her mind might be able to understand that she has food available to her whenever she wants it. (Our Memory Care Unit gives string cheese sticks or cheese spread on crackers to the dementia residents as a snack.) That might help her not feel hungry as quickly. Chewing seems to stimulate the brain into thinking that the stomach is full and in turn, results in that the person not feeling hungry.

As suggested, make sure to limit liquids and salt intake to minimize the affect on her congestive heart failure. If you notice that her ankles and feet are getting swollen then she might be retaining fluid. Also, if you weigh your Mother every day or every other day, you can monitor her weight for any rapid weight increase (such 3-5 pounds in 1-2 days) which might indicate that she is retaining fluid. Is your Mother taking a "water pill" or diuretic such as Lasix (furosemide)?

Have you talked with the hospice nurse? What did she tell you to do?

She only likes certain foods and what she likes one day, she doesnt the next day or later the same day. I just think that shes not rea)y hungry , just that she forgets.

With congestive heart failure too much salt and fluids can cause extreme discomfort including swelling in the arms and legs that splits the skin. So I would be careful what I offered as unlimited snacks - probably preferring fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables which have reduced or no salt added.

My grandma used to snack on a bowl of dry cereal and she handed that down to me. If you keep the bowl full for her, she will be able to snack from it constantly and it will always be there for her. Cereal can be filling and not all that unhealthy.

Feed her fruits and vegetables along with other healthy snacks and junk food if she wants it, in addition to 3 square meals. I am personally a believer that at this stage, why not, what can it hurt. More fiber and protein helps us feel full longer, as I'm sure you know.

Best of luck on moms hungry journey.

She is on hospice and has heart issues as well. She eats a good amount at each meal. She has a snack. I think she just forgets. She is in the last stage of dementia. Her memory is terrible. She doesn't remember anyone. She can't drink too much because of her congestive heart faire so I have to monitor her liquid intake,

what kind of foods is she asking for?
another large meal? or snacks?
if you're worried about her health because hunger could a sign of a health issue? then maybe appointment to get physical? often seniors get little exercise and don't require as much food - so is she moving around a lot?

also hunger can also mean you are thirsty.