Guest guest Posted June 7, 2008 Report Share Posted June 7, 2008 , many at this stage do not worry about fat/calorie intake and top up their LO's diet with high calorie, high fat treats, whatever their LO might want. Keep them happier, more satisfied and try to maintain as much weight as possible as long as possible. Much weight can be lost at the end if swallowing stops, aspiration occurs. It sounds like your dad has a good healthy baseline diet that you could compliment this way with between meal treats. Gibsons BC Mother died Aug. 12, 2006 at age 92 after a 13 year decline from PDD. > > My Dad (89 & LBD) eats 3 meals daily with fairly good sized servings of mainly > veggies & fruit yet he keeps losing weight. The hospice nurse said this is > normal for people in the latter stages of LBD but I was wondering what > thoughts others might have on this and what to do about it-if anything. > Thanks. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 7, 2008 Report Share Posted June 7, 2008 , My Mom ate pretty well and the nh also supplemented with a can of ????can't remember what it was called. But I gave her anything she wanted. She loved Ice cream and I loaded it down with chocolate and nuts while she was still with me. And I would take a shake to the nh too. The body forgets how to process food later in the disease, I think. The only problem you would have is if he if diabetic. Otherwise I say give them whatever they want. Hugs, Donna R Caregave for Mom (after I brought her from WI to MI) for 3 years and 4th year in a nh. She was almost 89 when she died in '02. No dx other than mine. losing weight My Dad (89 & LBD) eats 3 meals daily with fairly good sized servings of mainly veggies & fruit yet he keeps losing weight. The hospice nurse said this is normal for people in the latter stages of LBD but I was wondering what thoughts others might have on this and what to do about it-if anything. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 2008 Report Share Posted June 8, 2008 As things draw closer to an end, the appetite and tastebuds give up. Ice Cream became our best vehicle for giving meds in the final days. Eventually you will stop trying to feed anything. Millie was good with gatorade grape g-2 when we were still able to give her anything. My guess is that you are getting closer. Go with what the LO wants and you will know you are doing the best thing you can. There is no time table, but by the time nothing satisfied Millie, we were about 4-6 weeks away from the end. Not to be the bearer of sadness, but I was looking clues and wasn't finding many. It is not a pretty time, and by the time you get there, passing will be a blessing. Carol Caregave for mother-in-law(age 81) who was the third of three sisters to die of LBD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 9, 2008 Report Share Posted June 9, 2008 , my Dad's name is (Dave), he is 87 and just like your Dad. He eats all three meals each day plus has an Ensure Plus with each meal and is down to 125. He use to be 6'1 " and 195. I bring him strawberry shakes every visit, about every other day, and always his favorite candy on hand, Herseys Nuggets with Almonds. He'll eat at least 4 of them while I'm there as long as I open them for him as the wrappers are hard for him to open now. He lives in an ALF in the dementia unit so is getting his meals regularly, but the doctor's only guess at the reason for the weight loss. Just let him eat whatever he feels like eating at this stage cause now should be about letting them be as happy and contented as possible. Meri Jane > > My Dad (89 & LBD) eats 3 meals daily with fairly good sized servings of mainly > veggies & fruit yet he keeps losing weight. The hospice nurse said this is > normal for people in the latter stages of LBD but I was wondering what > thoughts others might have on this and what to do about it-if anything. > Thanks. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 9, 2008 Report Share Posted June 9, 2008 Dear , Loss of weight can certainly occur in the late stages of every disease. However, malnutrition can also occur - both as a result of the actual disease and as a part of other illnesses that may affect our loved ones. For example, my mom has developed irritable bowel syndrome, so that while she eats " properly, " she loses weight due to her organs not properly processing/using/excreting food. You mention that your dad eats mostly fruits and vegetables: is he getting a sufficient amount of protein? Depending on his ability to chew, swallow, process, etc., you can provide supplements such as Ensure-type protein shakes or simply add meat, dairy or soy products to his meals. & nbsp; Cognition and movement are affected by diet; however, depending on dad's status and your goals for him, this may or may not be relevant. If it is, the nutrition drinks seem the easiest way to increase " good " caloric intake. & nbsp; Take care, and please keep us posted. & nbsp; Lin From: Meri Jane & lt;middlekidzranch@... & gt; Subject: Re: losing weight To: LBDcaregivers Date: Monday, June 9, 2008, 12:07 PM , my Dad's name is (Dave), he is 87 and just like your Dad. He eats all three meals each day plus has an Ensure Plus with each meal and is down to 125. He use to be 6'1 " and 195. I bring him strawberry shakes every visit, about every other day, and always his favorite candy on hand, Herseys Nuggets with Almonds. He'll eat at least 4 of them while I'm there as long as I open them for him as the wrappers are hard for him to open now. He lives in an ALF in the dementia unit so is getting his meals regularly, but the doctor's only guess at the reason for the weight loss. Just let him eat whatever he feels like eating at this stage cause now should be about letting them be as happy and contented as possible. Meri Jane & gt; & gt; My Dad (89 & amp;LBD) eats 3 meals daily with fairly good sized servings of mainly & gt; veggies & amp;fruit yet he keeps losing weight. The hospice nurse said this is & gt; normal for people in the latter stages of LBD but I was wondering what & gt; thoughts others might have on this and what to do about it-if anything. & gt; Thanks. & gt; & gt; & gt; Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 10, 2008 Report Share Posted June 10, 2008 My husband too, is losing weight rapidly. At the beginning of 2008 he was his usual (for most of his life) 185 pounds. At last word, he weighed 166 and I will bet he is 155 now. He is down 2 or 3 pant sizes and looking very thin and weak. He was in the hospital for a week and then placed in a nursing home on May 2, 2008. Until that time he was eating regular food very well in good amounts. I think he tends to be dehydrated and could probably use more salt since there is no restriction there. I am very concerned about this weight loss too. He has to be fed now but sometimes just will not eat. One of my children or I try to make it the 45 miles to be there for one meal a day, hoping he will eat better for us. We also insist on walking him if at all possible. I am afraid he is going downhill too fast to stop him. Leona: Caregiver for husband Ray, age 67, diagnosed 2/04 with Parkinson's Disease. Changed doctors, diagnosed 6/06 with LBD. Almost continual downhill slide no matter what drugs we try. 5/2/08 Ray was placed in Sunrise Nursing Home in Oswego, NY, 45 minutes from home. So far, so good! Hardest thing I have ever done in my life, however. There's a magical tie to the land of our home, which the heart cannot break, though the footsteps may roam. Eliza Cook Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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