My Mom is 92 and in pretty good shape for her age. She is fairly independent. She eats like a bird and then complains of feeling weak and tired all the time. Any suggestions for getting her to eat more? I live with her and am tired of pushing her to eat more.
Bring her a frozen pumpkin swirl coffee drink from Dunkin Donuts. One serving has 980 calories in it. Shocking, I know. 🙄
Bring home pot pies from Boston Market which are also calorie dense.
Kentucky Fried Chicken extra crispy is another ridiculously high calorie food.
Keep the portions SMALL, but the calories HIGH...thats the key with people who don't like to eat much.
At this age, why would you worry about how much and what your elder is eating? There is little likelihood at my age of 81 someone will write my obit opining that I died much too young. We all are headed the same place. I would think at 92 we should be able to eat whatever we like, personally.
Keep in mind that she is probably not expending calories like you or I do.
After a few weeks in the hospital and fighting a UTI can change a person.
While she was "fairly independent" before that has probably changed.
She may continue to decline and if she does she will eat less and less as her body will not need the energy it did before.
To push her to eat more than her body can process can cause problems. the food may come up possibly causing aspiration pneumonia or it can become bound up in the intestins or colon. (either may result in the need for surgery if it is not naturally eliminated)
Offer many little "snacks"
High calorie foods that she likes.
Forget the notion of a "well balanced diet"
Let her eat what she wants and when she wants.
Place a little fridge near where she likes to sit. Keep it stocked with things she likes.
You made the comment that you "dont want her to wittle away"
She WILL stop eating and drinking. This is a part of End Of Life.
PLEASE do not have a feeding tube or IV's placed to provide fluids and nutrion that her body will not need. To do so can cause pain and discomfort.
(Check out Hospice Nurse Julie on YouTube she has a lot of information on artificial nutrition at EOL)
I'm a nurse that works with seniors. Appetite often dwindles.
They seem to enjoy shakes. Make them healthy. I made one with blueberries, threw some kale in,
and the patient never knew.
Hope this helps.
I would be attentive to the matter but not worry too much right now.
Bless you for all you do for your Mom.
My MIL has lived on 300-400 cals a day for 9 months now. She lost some weight in the beginning, but is (unbelievably!!) stable now. Goes to show--we probably eat way more than we really need.
Also, if she feels 'guilty' b/c one of the kids brings her food, she'll try to eat and then she vomits it all up.
Basically, she's living on BOOST. And 1-8 oz Diet Coke per day.
I also concentrated on high calorie and not necessary volume. So, it was about what she ate and drank, not how much. I tried to measure the calories since she would not eat three meals a day.
It is a challenge for sure. Good luck,
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