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Eating Too Fast!

Posted by Gratia @gratia, Jun 27 4:58am

Fortunately, our mother with dementia has a good appetite and is able to enjoy food. However, lately she is eating noticeably faster. We remind her to slow down, but it’s definitely a change.

Has anyone else experienced this with a loved one who has dementia and if so, are there any tips or advice on how to manage the behavior? Last night she ate her soup so fast that she swallowed the wrong way and coughed a lot, which has happened a few times recently.
Wishing all of you moments of peace and joy. ❤️

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Gratia | @gratia | Jun 28 4:39pm
In reply to @deefab "My husband was diagnosed with/ vascular dementia 9 years ago. Last year he was te-evaluated &..." + (show)
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My husband was diagnosed with/ vascular dementia 9 years ago. Last year he was te-evaluated & diagnosed with Alzheimer’s , Lewy Body. He had always been a fast eater, but became focused on getting his food in mouth as fast as he could about 2 years ago - choking etc…had swallowing test at that time & was diagnosed with silent aspiration. I continue to cut up sandwiches /food, using small utensils —he no longer responds to putting utensil down between bites— & he often goes for food on my plate (forgetting he’s eaten).
He’s had 4 hospitalizations in 2025 for silent aspiration pneumonitis.
It cannot be treated with antibiotics - origin of source is food bacteria in lungs. Last visit his lungs had to be drained of fluid. He came home from hospital w/hospice - full delirium unable to remember how to swallow…..fortunately he returned after 5 long weeks of delirium — with increased memory loss, but back to his sweet soul. Whew!
I’m still recovering as that was pretty stressful being his around the clock caregiver.

I’m hoping to read more comments - maybe learn other techniques to slow their eating down….
Thank you all for all your input, if anything to validate that I’m not only one learning how to navigate the journey of this disease. Diane

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@deefab dear Diane, This is a very informative response. I’m so sorry you went through this with your husband! It sounds very scary. But I’m glad to hear he came out well. I’m concerned about this type of aspiration pneumonia.
Thank you again for your comment. 🤗❤️

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deefab | @deefab | Jun 30 11:31pm
In reply to @gratia "@deefab dear Diane, This is a very informative response. I’m so sorry you went through this..." + (show)
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@deefab dear Diane, This is a very informative response. I’m so sorry you went through this with your husband! It sounds very scary. But I’m glad to hear he came out well. I’m concerned about this type of aspiration pneumonia.
Thank you again for your comment. 🤗❤️

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@gratia
I am so grateful my post could be informative to others. I truly appreciate others experiences to Give me ideas that help lead me to possible solutions that I have not even considered ( even in conjunction with drs hospice )
I also, have to say that all of the chat shares give me the necessary reminding that I’m not in life’s ‘chapter’ of Alzheimer’s /Dementia alone!! Words do not express the balm you all bring to my very soul. Ty again ❣️

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