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Husband is losing his appetite, how to get him to eat more
My husband is in the latter part of moderate dementia. Sleeps most of the day and night except when I get him up to eat lunch and dinner. Lately he does not want to eat what I have made for us. When I offer alternatives, he says he doesn't want those either. He has lost about 25 pounds since he was diagnosed and treated with chemotherapy for Mantle cell lymphoma two years ago. He is in remission now but has not regained the weight. He has no interest in food. I don''t know if this is to be expected with where he is in his dementia journey. It is frustrating to see him just waste away. Any advice would be appreciated.
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So sorry. I'm sure each person is different yet from what I know this is common. My Mom eats less and less. In the later stages, the body starts shutting down and doesn't need as much food. However, my Mom is on hospice. I've heard, people eat less because the body is shutting down, not the opposite.
Yet, I've found some things to help: offer anything they like - at this point, let them eat when and what they want. Try new foods and bright colors, things they enjoyed when a kid or younger. My Mom was fascinated with purple cabbage served at memory care (she never "ate purple before").
Hope you find some helpful ideas. Hugs.
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3 ReactionsThank you Traci for your suggestions. I will try them. I think another reason he doesn't eat much is that he suffers from depression. That and he sleeps just about all day and night so he doesn't require much in the way of calories. I know he used to love peppermint chocolate chip ice cream so I will try that. At this point it's the calories in that count.