I'm caring for a woman who eats and drinks very little. She's been in the ER three times for dehydration. She also has Alzheimer's and she's getting weaker and more childlike. I'm afraid if things don't change drastically she will die. How can I get her to change?
The same for her meals, small portions given often of things she likes, this is not the time to be enforcing dietary restrictions.
Look for ways to up the fluid content of her meals... fruits and veggies are mostly water, offer soups and smoothies.
Watch to see if the reason she resists is because she has dysphagia (trouble swallowing). With my mom water was the first thing to give her difficulties, thin liquids cause her to choke and it would come out her nose! If needed there are products available to thicken liquids, but a consult with her docs would be wise before proceeding on your own. This may also play into her not wanting to eat.
Finally, Alzheimer's is a fatal disease. You don't say how advanced she is, but at some point in advanced disease they begin to reject food and water, she may simply be approaching the end of her life.
Is there a certain kind of juice she likes?
Try popsicles. Or tea. Jello. Ensure milkshakes.
Get creative!