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My 85 year old Granny has been in hospice care since May 2018 after she was diagnosed with colon cancer. She pretty much doesn't eat anything and is down to 69 pounds, she may eat a couple of junior mints or some candy, but she won't eat any food. She just asked me yesterday for beer, do you think the hospice nurses will allow her to have beer? My concern is the alcohol interacting with her medications, but the beer would provide her with needed calories.


Has anyone else experienced this? Did you get the their requested beer/alcohol?

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I would give her a beer, what is the worst that could happen? It's happening now anyway.

Im sorry that you and your family are having to watch your g'ma waste away.

May God grant you peace on this journey.

Hugs!
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My mom was a heavy wine drinker and when she got dimentia we started buying her alcohol free wine and she did not know the difference. Every now and then I would give her the real stuff. I agree, they should do whatever they want at that stage in the game. Whatever makes them happy! If I could go back and do moms end of life hospice care again I would have bought her chinese take out every night, expensive wine and let her stay up all night watching TV:) I wish I had not sweated the small stuff....
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I cannot think of any reason to refuse your grandmother anything (legal) that pleases her heart. If she fancies a beer, then let her have it. If she fancies a couple, come to that. These are the last days of her life. She is not expected to recover. Whatever contributes to her own sense of wellbeing must be accommodated as far as possible.

I don't suppose the manufacturers of the medications would recommend that they be taken with alcohol, but if there is a serious interaction to worry about - and yes do check because the last thing you want to do is make her feel worse - then I'd query what good the medication is doing and see if you can't change that.

One caution, though. Don't be disappointed if, once you've brought the beer, nicely chilled, opened it with a flourish, and ceremoniously poured it into a slim glass for your grandmother, she doesn't after all drink it, let alone enjoy it. It may just be the idea that she liked and the reality doesn't match her memory of past pleasures. Should that happen, try other little treats - ask around the family about favourite dishes or brands of chocolate they remember.
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Yes. At this stage of her life, she should have anything she wants.
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MY MIL was used to her afternoon cocktail and asked about it at every visit. She was on palliative hospice care, so she was only taking comfort medications.
After phoning the hospice nurse and discussing it, we visited MIL with the needed supplies. It was ten in the morning.
MIL asked if she could finally have her drink. Although my wife initially disagreed (it was morning), she relented. I fixed MIL her bourbon and water and it made her very happy. It reminded her of better times with her husband.
For a couple of weeks after that I stopped every afternoon for her cocktail hour. When the staff got used to the idea I started leaving airplane bottles with the proper amount. We asked hospice to add it to the care plan so the staff could assist.
I supplied the airplane bottles, and started watering down the bourbon somewhat. I do not think she ever caught on. It was more the idea of keeping her routine.
I did not do this for my father when he was in hospice, but I probably should have. He talked about it and it would have made him happier. Daily would not have worked for him as he was a fall risk, but periodically could have been arranged. I think he would have been happier as drinking had been a big part of his life. With him I did not really understand that palliative care is for comfort, not healing.
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Give Granny whatever she wants. My friend wanted a steak. I ground up a cooked roast and fed him puree. He Loved it. The flavor was what he missed. Give her the beer. Slowly. I will ask for a Gin and tonic
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My dad was on hospice at home. Hospice said to give him anything he asked for. He asked for beer so we gave him beer. Anything that brings comfort is good.
God be with you.
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Oh my, if that woman asks for anything, give it to her. Any and everything she asks for. With all she is coping with, ease at least her wishes for beer! Consider the quality of her life. Not pretty, is it? GIVE HER THE BEER and smile while doing it. In fact, pour one for yourself!
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anonymous444729 Oct 2018
absolutely
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When my late husband was in hospice, beer was the only think he asked for. He didn't want food, and actually he didn't drink all that much beer--just said he wanted the taste of it and rarely drank more than 1/2 bottle per day.
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My uncle was in a hospice. Their rule was they could have anything they wanted.
So my Uncle had a 'half' after his light tea (Sandwich, jelly etc.)

I would think they adjusted his meds too, but anything he wanted meant MEDS too.

For goodness they, they are dying.
So they just as well die comfortable and as happy as you can make them.

They were such lovely people.
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