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Hi everyone, I’m new here and I really appreciate how much knowledge and support is shared in this community. In my family, I’ve seen how difficult it can be when a person with Alzheimer’s loses interest in food or forgets to eat. I’d love to learn from your experiences — what are some of the main challenges you’ve faced around meals and eating?
Answer Summary
Members responding to the question about mealtime challenges with Alzheimer's shared that eating habits can shift dramatically over the course... Read more
I don't know if my husband's experience is typical but his eating habits are always changing. At about year 5 on this journey, he had an aversion to food and I struggled to get him to eat anything. He lost 30 pounds over a year or so. Then he started eating again and is partial to sweets, putting 20 pounds back on. He forgets he has eaten and looks for another meal. He has forgotten how to fix his plate so after I cook I plate our food and give him an already prepared plate.
@A myALZteam Member
We are entering year 11 of his Alzheimer's disease. Up until about a year ago eating was fine. In the past 8-9 months things have changed a lot. His appetite is fair to good. LOVES sweets. He is forgetting how to use utensils. He'll try to eat a salad with a regular table knife or start eating food with his fingers in a restaurant. I continue to find that his likes and dislikes change. Food he once loved now isn't appealing. And hated food may be eaten. He has lost aor of teeth upfront so that doesn't help. Good luck to you.
@A myALZteam Member, in response to your hubby not eating while you are gone, I have the same issue. Hubby can still be left alone for several hours. However, even making him a PBJ sandwich and leave it on the counter next to an empty glass for milk gets overlooked. When I ask him why he says he wasn't hungry. BUT, if I say I am going to make me one he will say that sounds good and please make one for me.
Knowing this is happening more often with not eating, and knowing what's to come, I hired a "companion " to stay with him for 4 hours, maybe once a month for now. This way I know he will eat and not get bored when I am away. And PTL, he is looking forward to her coming.
Common eating challenges with Alzheimer's include:
• Difficulty recognizing food as memory declines
• Loss of appetite due to medication side effects or lack of activity
• Trouble focusing during meals due to distractions
• Problems with chewing and swallowing
• Difficulty using utensils
• Dental issues like gum pain or Show Full Answer
Hi @A myALZteam Member! My mom forgets she has eaten all the time, "I haven't had anything to eat ALL DAY!" like I'm starving her. Drives me nuts. She even ate 2 full plates at a party and packed up a 3rd plate to take home, and ate 2 desserts, what a riot! She won't eat meals, but she snacks all day when I am gone. Have you tried leaving out small bowls of nuts, plates of fruit or veggies (cut up), or pretzels near where he likes to sit? That way it's right in front of him rather than in the kitchen. Mom eats that without even thinking. She has always refused breakfast, my whole life. But I find if I sit with her at the table and eat myself, she will eventually want some of what I have.
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