Dear Carol: I’m worried about my dad. He’s been diagnosed with vascular dementia, but he also has heart disease and recently had cancer treatment. He’s 87 and failing quickly.
Dad used to love to eat. Now, even though I make nutritious meals that were his favorites, he isn’t interested. The doctor says appetite loss is natural for someone so frail and fluids are more important.
My head understands this, but as his primary caregiver, I still feel responsible for his nutrition. So far, he’ll take small drinks of water if I remind him, but he shuns food, so he has no energy and he’s losing weight. What can I do to get him to eat so he feels as good as he can for as long as he can? - CH Dear CH: I’m sorry that your dad’s health is failing.
The first step is working with the doctor and you’re doing that. Keeping in mind what the doctor said, consider adjustments to his food and how you offer it to him. At the very least, you’ll know you’ve done what you can.
Things to consider: My heart is with you, CH. Accepting the natural process of older adults becoming frail and eventually passing is so hard. Big hug.
I’ve been there..
