I thought I'd ask the smartest group of people I've never met. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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My grandma is 89 and we struggle with some similar issues with her eating/weight loss. She is so thin. We started getting her Hello Fresh and it has improved her eating overall because she looks forward to the prep and having a meal to save for the next day or freeze. I think as people get older, shopping and prepping food becomes a chore. HF makes it fun, getting a package, etc. not sure what your mom’s activity level is like with her leukemia and dementia but it’s something to consider. The meals are pretty high-calorie.
***After doing some reading about it, an important thing stuck out. Elderly people tend to lose their sense of THIRST. So make sure she’s actually drinking fluids and getting electrolytes. My grandma subsists basically on several cups of coffee in the morning and nothing until wine in the evening. She was all “I’m not thirsty!” and won’t typically drink water or extra fluids. Anyway, so I got her a nice colorful chart of foods that hydrate and you’d be surprised how helpful it is squeezing in some hydration and a few extra calories. We nag about drinking more but it does no good. I’ve heard this from others- their parents or grandparents won’t drink.
So check that. With chronic dehydration, a whole host of other problems can arise. UTI’s, irregular heartbeat, weakness, muscle spasms and cramps, and so on.
She probably gets her blood drawn regularly but take a look at her magnesium, potassium and calcium and the other minerals. If she isn’t too weirded out by personal questions, ask what color her urine is. Dark? Definitely not enough fluids. If you do an image search, look for foods that hydrate. There are many she may love as a snack, so you kill two birds.
My grandma would never be ok using marijuana or cbd. She would look it up and be upset we suggested it, so unless her doctor or the federal govt said she had to take it, she wouldn’t and she is offended and angry if you suggest protein shakes. “That’s for old people.” Idk about your mom’s feelings.
Also, get her some vitamin d supplements. I notice the pills give me stomach issues but the gummies don’t. Most people are deficient, even if you live in a sunny climate.
God bless her, prayers for her to feel more comfortable and for better health.
This is so true, it would be 110 here and my mom would reluctantly take a small sip of water if I nagged because she was turning red. Dehydration makes everything worse. Smoothies and shakes are great for weak people, bad teeth, etc. but if too sweet or thick they might increase water need.