My partner, 85 years, was never fat. But as his memory loss has increased, he is getting thinner and thinner, despite eating a half container of ice cream every evening. He does not have other physical problems, such as a thyroid problem or diabetes.
I have seen this with my clients who have Alzheimers.
I would like to know about your experience with weight loss by a spouse or parent who has Alzheimers or memory loss due to aging. It would really be a huge help as I worry about his weight loss.
Thank you
1. As the person declines they forget how to eat or forget to eat.
In the late stages the body does not use food as fuel that way it did in the past so the nutritional needs are different. In particular as the person no longer is as mobile as in the past muscles begin to waste to the arms and legs begin to look much thinner. Then there is atrophy of other muscles, shoulders, in the back and in the neck and face.
2. In early stages the person my continue to eat thinking that they have not eaten. This can cause some weight gain. This can present a problem for the caregiver since it is more difficult to help the person move and if aid is needed for cleaning it makes it even more difficult. But as the stages progress they will begin to loose weight just due to atrophy of the muscles.
Last but not least...
The weight can stay pretty stable with diet and close monitoring. But at some point the weight loss will begin.
And towards the end does it really matter if your loved one wants ice cream for breakfast. If you are trying to keep weight on them give them a bowl of ice cream for breakfast. The issues of controlling cholesterol, and diabetes for that matter are far down on the list of worries. There is a good chance the Dementia will kill them before anything else, and personal opinion here I would rather have my loved one pass a bit faster due to a bowl of ice cream than linger another 6 to 12 months with dementia if that is what the outcome would be.
Also, when my Mom was still living it was brought to our attention by the health case worker we spoke to is when someone is old and weak, they may go to the kitchen with the intention of making themselves something to eat but may only have the energy to make a cup of tea and grab a biscuit. So having ready made food prepared ahead of time that just needs to be heated up is a thought.