I'm going to visit my mum after work tonight. She has been going downhill rapidly. She went into nursing care in August after 5 weeks in hospital when it was evident she could no longer be left at home ever without a carer. Toward the end of her stay in hospital she became quite depressed and went off her food.
Unusual because my mother always had a good appetite and was a tremendous cook. After going into care her appetite picked up and she seemed to be enjoying her food she said the food was much better than in hospital. Then she had a chest infection rapidly followed by a UTI after which she seemed to lose her appetite.
Consequently she has barely eaten for several weeks now. She only drinks because her diabetes is out of control and she has a raging thirst, even then she can take a lot of persuasion.
Now she often refuses her medication as well as food. I have tried taking in some favorite foods trying to tempt her with things she used to like. But then she insists now she likes tea where prior to going into hospital in June I have never known her drink anything but coffee. She has no problem with swallowing but her dentures have become loose because of the rapid weight loss and her gums have been a little sore.
This has gone on for several weeks now. They considered tube feeding her but her care team and her doctor feel she is too confused to cooperate with it. a) she wouldn't stay on her bed long enough for it to run through and b) they think she would pull the tube out in her confusion.
I'ts difficult to know now how much of her confusion is caused by her deteriorating physical health and how much by her dementia. I've been encouraged by posters on this site who write of sudden turnarounds in their loved ones condition but I'm beginning to lose hope now.
Two of my brothers insist this is her choice to end it all sooner rather than later but this is a woman who doesn't have the cognitive ability to step back from a door with her frame so someone can open it, I really don't think she could have planned this out as a strategy.
I know if her condition does not improve we will be unable to have her home at Christmas with the added sorrow that Christmas day is also her birthday. ( and were he still alive it would be her wedding anniversay on Boxing day). This would be the first ever Chirstmas she was not at home with her family and it could be her last. Ever hopeful, I was just wondering if anyone has seen a return of appetite in a loved one after several weeks of food refusal ?
Much love to you all
Lou Lou
Unusual because my mother always had a good appetite and was a tremendous cook. After going into care her appetite picked up and she seemed to be enjoying her food she said the food was much better than in hospital. Then she had a chest infection rapidly followed by a UTI after which she seemed to lose her appetite.
Consequently she has barely eaten for several weeks now. She only drinks because her diabetes is out of control and she has a raging thirst, even then she can take a lot of persuasion.
Now she often refuses her medication as well as food. I have tried taking in some favorite foods trying to tempt her with things she used to like. But then she insists now she likes tea where prior to going into hospital in June I have never known her drink anything but coffee. She has no problem with swallowing but her dentures have become loose because of the rapid weight loss and her gums have been a little sore.
This has gone on for several weeks now. They considered tube feeding her but her care team and her doctor feel she is too confused to cooperate with it. a) she wouldn't stay on her bed long enough for it to run through and b) they think she would pull the tube out in her confusion.
I'ts difficult to know now how much of her confusion is caused by her deteriorating physical health and how much by her dementia. I've been encouraged by posters on this site who write of sudden turnarounds in their loved ones condition but I'm beginning to lose hope now.
Two of my brothers insist this is her choice to end it all sooner rather than later but this is a woman who doesn't have the cognitive ability to step back from a door with her frame so someone can open it, I really don't think she could have planned this out as a strategy.
I know if her condition does not improve we will be unable to have her home at Christmas with the added sorrow that Christmas day is also her birthday. ( and were he still alive it would be her wedding anniversay on Boxing day). This would be the first ever Chirstmas she was not at home with her family and it could be her last. Ever hopeful, I was just wondering if anyone has seen a return of appetite in a loved one after several weeks of food refusal ?
Much love to you all
Lou Lou