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Dad said "No!" to dinner, and just sat there. What am I doing wrong?

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Your dad has dementia, right? Tell us a little more about the situation and perhaps someone will have handled a similar situation.

How long has dad had dementia?
Does he normally eat reasonably well?
Is this the first time he refused food?
Did he explain or indicate why he said no? (Is he able to explain things?)
Is this food he has liked in the past?
Does he seem unwell in any way? Coughing, shivering, sleepy -- anything out of the ordinary for him?

Eating problems are common in dementia, and I think if you can explain a little more someone here can help you figure this out.
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My mom always says she is full up to here -picture her putting her hand up to her nose- and doesn't want anything to eat. But often when I bring her to the table and put food in front of he she will eat all of it. If she really won't eat I can usually convince her to have a drink instead and I bring her an ensure. As long as he is eating his other meals and getting enough to drink he is probably fine, they really don't need as many calories as they used to.
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I just thought of something. My dad liked Captain D's. Nothing made him happier than for me to come in the door with him a seafood feast. He ate a bit of everything like it was the best thing in the world. Little things can bring delight when someone has dementia.
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Yes my dad has dementia, and last night and tonight's dinner is the first time he
doesn't want to eat. Yes, he normally eats well; he seems to have lost interest
in most everything he did/does. No dad can't really tell us why he doesn't want
his dinner. Now he does eat breakfast, lunch and snacks; and mom continues to serve the same things we have always had. {nothing new or fancy}.
His face is kinda red like he is warm, but when touched he is not, arms are
cool. He also has a frown on his face like he is angry. So we always have/are
like not ganging up on him at once.
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His expression may be telling you a lot. People with dementia can get moody, often for reasons unknown to others and they can't or won't express. Your dad may start eating again when the mood passes.

My father was a nibbler. He didn't like heavy foods or big meals. What he would do is eat things like pecan twirls, ice cream treats, cookies, fruit, and similar things. He liked small sandwiches. When we brought him a heavy dinner, chances are great he would hide the food behind the curtains, under a table, or stuffed in his chair. I tried to serve him light foods -- eggs, fish sticks, and other things easy to chew and digest. That worked a lot better with him.

There will ultimately come a time when our elders really don't feel like eating. Your father doesn't sound to that point yet, 2424us. You may just have to wait him out. I wouldn't try to force the issue, since that can make him even more obstinate about not eating. Hope it passes soon. Until it does, just keep those snacks available for him.
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What about a Boost or Ensure shake with extra chocolate?Atleast you'd be getting nutrients down him.Do you think he'd like custard?Sometimes the texture of foods are the problem or solution.I'm sorry you are dealing with this.I hope you find some foods that work for him.Take care....
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