Dad has advanced dementia as well as non curable prostate cancer. He is/was 6’ and his highest weight while in AL was 185-188. He now weighs (clothed) 152.
Weight loss most likely due to his diseases. He has been steady in weight loss since August. He is losing about 1#/week. I’m thinking at some point this weight loss will also impact his health. Anyone with similar circumstances to give me feedback?
I suggested someone always supervisize her eating, offer food at non-meal times, bring high calorie foods (even if junk food) to pump up the calorie count. Try different textures of foods.
Mother has started waking up at 10 pm and wanting an Ensure. They give it to her.
Sometimes the body is just shutting down and they can't tolerate food. It's so hard to watch.
I know it is a difficult process to watch when a loved one is declining. As any dementia advances weight loss is expected. This is part of the end-stage process of the disease. His will eat when he wants to and there is not much to be done about it.
I am so glad that he is getting hospice care. As long as the weight loss is not a concern to him, I would let it go.
I wish you the best.
Margaret