My Mom is 92 and in pretty good shape for her age. She is fairly independent. She eats like a bird and then complains of feeling weak and tired all the time. Any suggestions for getting her to eat more? I live with her and am tired of pushing her to eat more.
I also concentrated on high calorie and not necessary volume. So, it was about what she ate and drank, not how much. I tried to measure the calories since she would not eat three meals a day.
It is a challenge for sure. Good luck,
Bring her a frozen pumpkin swirl coffee drink from Dunkin Donuts. One serving has 980 calories in it. Shocking, I know. 🙄
Bring home pot pies from Boston Market which are also calorie dense.
Kentucky Fried Chicken extra crispy is another ridiculously high calorie food.
Keep the portions SMALL, but the calories HIGH...thats the key with people who don't like to eat much.
Maybe put out snacks that she likes so she can snack during the day without the production or effort of cooking.
If she is weak and tired all the time it might not be because she isn't eating enough it may be an underlying health issue or a reaction to meds she is taking.
My MIL has lived on 300-400 cals a day for 9 months now. She lost some weight in the beginning, but is (unbelievably!!) stable now. Goes to show--we probably eat way more than we really need.
Also, if she feels 'guilty' b/c one of the kids brings her food, she'll try to eat and then she vomits it all up.
Basically, she's living on BOOST. And 1-8 oz Diet Coke per day.
At this age, why would you worry about how much and what your elder is eating? There is little likelihood at my age of 81 someone will write my obit opining that I died much too young. We all are headed the same place. I would think at 92 we should be able to eat whatever we like, personally.
First I'd investigate a little about why she isn't eating to make sure it isn't something you can correct like a dental or oral problem, stomach upsets or bowel difficulties. If her calorie intake is really too low this is what those nutritional supplements like ensure and boost were invented for, beyond that you can focus on adding easier to eat higher calorie foods to your meals (smaller meals plus snacks may help too).
I eat maybe a bowl of cereal and toast, bagel or a tea biscuit with jelly for breakfast. No lunch, just snack on stuff. Usually my sweet time. Then I have dinner I cook or we eat out. No snacks at night. I don't eat over 1500 cal a day. I am 74.
Write down what Mom eats in a day. You may be surprised she is getting the calories she needs. Boost is a good way to add to her diet. I put the choco. One in the freezer for an hr or so. It thickens up like a milk shake, pretty good. The colder that stuff is the better.
Mom may need labs done. She could be anemic. Potassium could be low especially if she takes water pills. Thyroid problems too. Then u can mention her appetite. There is medication for stimulating it.