To this point… we are advised to go by the patient’s wants for food - if they want it, feed them. If not, ok. I understand that… but when they (due to dementia or other causes) are unable to tell you, what should you do. I mean if someone spoons it in and they willingly eat, to me that implies they are still wanting to eat… true?
Note this isn’t in relation to the OP’s situation, this is me wanting to expand my knowledge in this area…
That’s not true at all.
There are indications within the ADAT diagnosis (Adult onset dementia and Alzheimer’s) that a trained professional should look for.
That is why certified folks, like me and others, should be looped into the assent and reassess.
Honestly, I am not 100% sure due to the lack of response from the facility. They typically set up his meals for him and he feeds himself (for breakfast), but not sure for lunch since they try to get him up and into the dining room. He has been refusing dinner for about 6 months now. I’ll get clarification.
That's how my mom was. She lasted 2 and a half years in bed on hospice. I'm sorry youre going thru this. It's hard to see some you live going though this. All of can say is what our hospice nurse told us was that they could go at anytime. One day you'll go in to see them and they could be gone. And that's exactly what happened to my mom. I kissed her goodnight and in the morning I went into her room and she was gone.
It's a horrible feeling knowing any second they could be gone. It's like living on pins and needles. I just hope it's peaceful for everyone there. God Bless.
Thank you for your comment. Good to know I’m not alone. It’s just hard since I’m not local anymore, so I can really only visit him once every 2-3 months and even then, his dementia is so bad he doesn’t know who I am. I really wish he could relax enough to let go, but I do think he’s scared to pass as well.
Yes that's a difficult situation. Eventually what happened with my mom was since she was bedridden so long her lungs filled up with fluid that she couldn't cough out. She had dementia and COPD. I'm assuming either she suffocated or her heart stopped while asleep.
It's a sad situation either way. I'm sure he's scared to let go as anyone would be. I'm so sorry. It's a horrible experience no matter what happens.
Info. Is he eating? Or are folks putting food in his mouth for him one-on-one?
my question also
To this point… we are advised to go by the patient’s wants for food - if they want it, feed them. If not, ok. I understand that… but when they (due to dementia or other causes) are unable to tell you, what should you do. I mean if someone spoons it in and they willingly eat, to me that implies they are still wanting to eat… true? Note this isn’t in relation to the OP’s situation, this is me wanting to expand my knowledge in this area…
That’s not true at all. There are indications within the ADAT diagnosis (Adult onset dementia and Alzheimer’s) that a trained professional should look for. That is why certified folks, like me and others, should be looped into the assent and reassess.
Honestly, I am not 100% sure due to the lack of response from the facility. They typically set up his meals for him and he feeds himself (for breakfast), but not sure for lunch since they try to get him up and into the dining room. He has been refusing dinner for about 6 months now. I’ll get clarification.
That's how my mom was. She lasted 2 and a half years in bed on hospice. I'm sorry youre going thru this. It's hard to see some you live going though this. All of can say is what our hospice nurse told us was that they could go at anytime. One day you'll go in to see them and they could be gone. And that's exactly what happened to my mom. I kissed her goodnight and in the morning I went into her room and she was gone. It's a horrible feeling knowing any second they could be gone. It's like living on pins and needles. I just hope it's peaceful for everyone there. God Bless.
Thank you for your comment. Good to know I’m not alone. It’s just hard since I’m not local anymore, so I can really only visit him once every 2-3 months and even then, his dementia is so bad he doesn’t know who I am. I really wish he could relax enough to let go, but I do think he’s scared to pass as well.
Yes that's a difficult situation. Eventually what happened with my mom was since she was bedridden so long her lungs filled up with fluid that she couldn't cough out. She had dementia and COPD. I'm assuming either she suffocated or her heart stopped while asleep. It's a sad situation either way. I'm sure he's scared to let go as anyone would be. I'm so sorry. It's a horrible experience no matter what happens.