What can be done for an Alzheimer's patient who refuses to eat?

@0616 This is a tough time. One cannot tell if the person (or their body) has decided it is the end, and time to shut down or if there is a silent infection going on (typically a UTI or pneumonia.) Or, as is sometimes the case, he may have forgotten how to chew and swallow, and

Have you consulted with his doctor? What stage of Alzheimer's are we talking about? Do you have support from family, a care facility, hospice or palliative care? If so, have they shared their opinion?

Wishing you peace and comfort as you manage this new stage.

My mother (vascular dementia) stopped eating for 3 months and mysterioulsy resumed the last two months of her life. I had done hospice training and knew not to push eating. I gave my mother tastes for pleasure and let her guide amounts, which would usually be, say, one bite of ice cream before she put her hand up.

We don't know much about your mother so the advice to first consult with a doctor seems wise. She should qualify for hospice and they can be very helpful in this situation.

Thank you for your comments. The new facility my husband is entering will allow me to dine with him. I'm hoping that strategy will work. The facility also told me he (we) can order our meals from a menu. Perhaps he will think he is in a restaurant.

At some point the body starts to shut down, a process that can take a lot longer than I thought: months. As the body shuts down it does not need as much food. I learned to accept this. But there is no way to tell on a forum whether this is the situation for anyone. A doctor or hospice personnel could assess.