I'm a full time carer for a 80year old gentlemen, a few months ago he had a fall and seems to gone of his legs and has no desire to continue living, refuses food and makes caring for him very difficult and frustrating. Tried giving him nutrient milk drinks or glocose drinks to help with his blood glocose levels but just lately he's been having bouts of diarrhea..could any one advise on the best course of treatment for him?
Michael
I can see his point of view. He's seriously disabled. He has no family. He probably feels terribly tired and ill most of the time. He doesn't have, realistically, anything good to look forward to. Could you blame him for wanting to stop the world and get off?
But that doesn't mean he doesn't value your care, concern and day to day presence. He must do. It just doesn't, in itself, give him a reason to want to carry on. Are you able to talk to him about how sorry you are that he feels like this?
I see that he is your friend and he has had a heart attack. How long ago did he have the heart attack? He might be on new meds that are disagreeing with him? He's lucky to have you.
Try some crackers or jello or soup. Juice. A piece of fruit. But don't force him to eat and don't shame him if he doesn't eat.