Follow
Share

Last checkup she weighed 134 lbs, now she weighs 114 lbs. She is 5'7"Pretty much no matter what I, or anyone, including her doctor try to get her to eat - she will say it upsets her stomach etc. She desperately needs more protein especially, but just will not stay with any suggestions - things I give her to try. She has convinced herself she is lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant which limits items even more. She is one illness away from serious trouble.

Mom had celiac disease and had to be gluten free.

We found large breakfast helped to maintain calories.

Breakfast was:

1-2 eggs, bacon or gluten free sausage, gluten free toast with butter and jam and a bowl of fresh fruit

Lunch and dinner were:

protein, sweet potato, potato or rice, and a cooked veggie

Dinner (same as lunch)

Having the generous breakfast really helped as she lost interest in eating by dinner.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to brandee
Report

It's no longer about getting her to eat what she needs but what she wants, as that's better than nothing.
She obviously has some sort of eating disorder which I've actually never heard of in a person that old, but I guess it can happen.
How very sad that your loved is slowly killing themselves by not giving their body what it needs to survive in a healthy manner, but perhaps that's been their plan all along.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to funkygrandma59
Report

She’s 85, she’s one illness away from serious trouble no matter what her diet is. I’m not being flippant, it’s just true. My dad’s diet turned to junk in his 80’s, despite his doctors and family’s encouragement to eat better. He enjoyed himself. He also lost weight while eating ice cream every night. We stopped the discussion, it wasn’t working anyway, and let his choices be his own
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to Daughterof1930
Report
iamwhatiseem 8 hours ago
That is what we do for my wife's mother, And I agree.
However, that is not the problem with mine. She is not eating enough anything, thus losing 20 lbs in the past 6 months. She is alarmingly thin.
(0)
Report
This is what supplements like Ensure and Magic Cups were designed for
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to cwillie
Report
iamwhatiseem 8 hours ago
Tried it... numerous ones including Lactose free ones. Won't do it.
(0)
Report
If you are having problems getting her to "eat what she needs" then let her eat what she wants.
Toss "nutrition" out the window. Let her eat some high calorie foods for enjoyment.
Or if she is convinced she is _______"intolerant" then find what she will eat and toss in some extra "healthy" things to what she will eat.

On another note...if she is not eating and this is going on for a while and she is losing weight there is an actual medical condition called "Failure to Thrive" this can happen with infants and to elders.
An actual diagnosis of Failure to thrive is an acceptable diagnosis to refer to Hospice.
Helpful Answer (5)
Reply to Grandma1954
Report

The illness appears to be mental. She's not thinking rationally, and no one is going to change her mind. Ask her doctor for a referral to whatever mental health professional would be a good fit. The goal should be to get a diagnosis and a treatment plan. I wish you luck in finding the help she needs.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to Fawnby
Report
iamwhatiseem 10 hours ago
It is definitely in her head, of which she will even admit. I am at that point where professional help is needed before she loses even more weight. She does eat, but virtually no meat, or beans or leafy greens etc. Her blood test showed too low of protein.
My biggest fear is she gets a flu strain etc. which will almost certainly land her in the hospital or worse. No way her thin body can fight it off.
(0)
Report
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter