What do you feed people with no taste buds?
The aging process is nasty in all sorts of ways but meal times can be stressful. First off I would like this to be a positive response only question please - Don't witter on about how bad something is in a care facility that is not the purpose of this question - those how follow me know exactly who I am talking about so no need for me to explain further
The simple answer from my doctor for my 93 year old Mum is that providing there is no reason for not doing so you give them whatever they want. So for example if they are diabetic you can't follow that rule but if there is no reason for not following it our doc says give her whatever she wants. Well we had 2 days of cake and sweets and biscuits then it was scampi and french fries for 4 days, then it was cheese in any which way she asked for it and now we seem to have righted ourselves and are back to eating food again in a normal manner. Who'd of thunk it.
What are your experiences with this taste issue or the I don't want food issue? Does it drive you as nutty as it does me?
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Oh well, my parents were in their 90's, no health issues with sugar, so I believe when they reach that age they should eat what they want. If they want Shredded Wheat cereal 3 times a day, so be it :0
One my Mom had to go into long-term-care, the only things she liked was mashed potatoes, and Boost with ice. Fine, just as long as she ate something.
I've also tried to emphasize the danger of too much sugar and lack of good stable foods in maintaining energy levels. It does work sometimes.
A bigger issue I've deal with was chemo induced loss of taste. None of the favorite foods were appealing. We finally found that good quality fruit juices and salty foods were more tempting. It was really hard, though, trying to find a balance between what was appealing and what was healthy. I've read that chemo can have that effect.
That problem happened with me after a week of using a strong whitening toothpaste.... good heavens, where on earth did my taste buds go, it was rather scary at first. Once I stopped using that toothpaste, then things started tasting better :)
In the kitchen, I made jazmin rice and a large salad to go with the pollo guisado already made. My diabetic Mom said "This coffee tastes like s__t." Ivette, laughing her a__ off, said "Betcha he used a dirty sock." Naomi said "Cocoa is nasty, but I don't want to hurt his feelings." She poured it at the base of a life-like decorative tree, not realizing it was made of plastic. They thought I couldn't hear. I also noticed the brown liquid seeping from under the tree but pretended not to see it. "Dinner will be ready soon. I gotta go pick up my laundry, so make yourselves at home."
Cinderfella finally snapped the second Mom said my chicken had no flavor. "You should go to cooking school." I picked up her plate and threw it out the window. "You frigging ingrate!" I grabbed their coats and threw them in the hallway. "There's a cuchifrito across the street. Order a heart attack on plate. Don't forget the Mexican bakery where the dopefiends hang out. Hope your sugar spikes! ... Nasty ghetto cockroaches."
Trying to flip the script on me, my sisters called a couple of hours later asking what they could've possibly done to be treated so badly. "Mom is all shaken up about it." I repeated everything they said in the living room. They claimed to be joking. "Was pouring the cocoa in the tree a joke too? ... You all disrespected me and my home, so I'm supposed to apologize? ... Get the ___ out of here."
I've never gone postal like this and feel so good about it.
Anyway, back to your Mom. If she's fairly lucid and can move about, she can feed herself. I don't see any valid reason why the entire family has to suffer.
its cheap and since they dont discriminate either way -- its a good opportunity for you to shave the old grocery bill ..
Cap, I'm not sure there is too much nutritional value in the cardboard, it might contribute to the constipation problems!
Honestly though, it depends on what your goals are, whether you are looking to improve their health of just keep them fed until the end. Unless they are at death's door from lack of calories it won't hurt for them to miss a meal or two if they don't like what you are serving. Sometimes my mom will dine on hot chocolate or ensure, cheese and goldfish crackers, with maybe a little fruit slipped in. It's all calories. And the fact she can nibble away at it without having me feed her is a bonus.
Recalling my sister visiting, making expresso, giving one to my husband, then saying to give me the dregs because I don't know the difference anyway! Right in front of me, not even from the other room.
He had aspergers, and was not only finicky, it is common not to appear for dinner in real time when it is served. He explained that his wife, understanding his difficulty, would place his dinner on the table, cover it, and she eats alone. Don't worry about it spoiling, people with aspergers also seek out older, not so hot food.
So, why am I cooking and trying to hold the family together, explain that part to me again?
I'll make something I know she'll like.. But then again you never know..