What next ?

[Tracey772]

Hi , my mum has vascular dementia and , is insulin diabetic . She has resided in a nursing home for the past two years as it was felt unsafe for her to return home after a lower leg amputation. Since moving into Ltc she has declined cognitively and has had really low mood . On Friday night she was blue lighted into A&E as she was unresponsive with high blood sugars after a week of on/ off eating and being non compliant with antibiotics prescribed for urine infection . She has now been discharged back to nursing home care but they are despairing as she refuses to eat . When I attempt to prompt she argues with me and has limited effect . What can I do ? Any suggestions ? I have Poa .

 

[karaokePete]

Hello @Tracey772 and welcome to the forum.

I have not yet faced this problem with my wife. In the hope that it helps I've put a link below that will take you to the Society Factsheet of the issue of eating and drinking
Eating and drinking (511)
PDF printable version

 

[Grahamstown]

Hi , my mum has vascular dementia and , is insulin diabetic . She has resided in a nursing home for the past two years as it was felt unsafe for her to return home after a lower leg amputation. Since moving into Ltc she has declined cognitively and has had really low mood . On Friday night she was blue lighted into A&E as she was unresponsive with high blood sugars after a week of on/ off eating and being non compliant with antibiotics prescribed for urine infection . She has now been discharged back to nursing home care but they are despairing as she refuses to eat . When I attempt to prompt she argues with me and has limited effect . What can I do ? Any suggestions ? I have Poa .

I am so sorry about this and I have some idea of how you are suffering too. I have looked into this ‘not eating’ aspect of the disease, which is very common as it progresses, and believe that the disease starts to affect the hunger area of the brain making the person starve themselves involuntarily. My husband had gradually eaten less and less for months, never felt hungry and only ate very small amounts of food. I discussed it with the doctor and dietician but finally both advised me to allow him to eat what he wanted and not to push it. I found this so difficult but the alternative was to get very very upset which didn’t do me any good. I didn’t believe that force feeding was in his best interests either. He finally died peacefully but this not eating goes so against one’s natural instincts that it is very painful.

 

[Tracey772]

I am so sorry about this and I have some idea of how you are suffering too. I have looked into this ‘not eating’ aspect of the disease, which is very common as it progresses, and believe that the disease starts to affect the hunger area of the brain making the person starve themselves involuntarily. My husband had gradually eaten less and less for months, never felt hungry and only ate very small amounts of food. I discussed it with the doctor and dietician but finally both advised me to allow him to eat what he wanted and not to push it. I found this so difficult but the alternative was to get very very upset which didn’t do me any good. I didn’t believe that force feeding was in his best interests either. He finally died peacefully but this not eating goes so against one’s natural instincts that it is very painful.

Thanks for your response. I have spoken with Gp and she has arranged a review with Cpn to look at my mums low mood and consider variation of her anti depressant. Alongside this Diabetic specialist nurse is meeting with care home staff to give advice and information on. And I have left some emergency pancakes and potato scones to be used when she refuses everything else . I agree about not wanting to get into any force feeding etc