Father with dementia won't eat?

Question

I'm looking for a healthcare provider that is well versed in dementia or someone who has had to care for someone with dementia. I need some advice. My father has early on set dementia in his mid 50's. My mother's goal is to keep him at home for as long as possible, but we know eventually he can't stay here. In the day, he goes to an adult daycare that he seems to like. However, when he is at home it is becoming a challenge to get him to eat!!! When we set a plate down in front of him he'll jump and just start wandering the house!!! He won't even touch the plate even though we keep telling him there's food. Then, when he does decide to eat the plate is cold by then and we go to heat it up. Then, he starts walking around AGAIN. 😞😞😞 it's incredibly frustrating. Or, he'll take about 2 bites out of the plate and he's done. He is on about 3 medications I believe. Is there anything we can do about the eating situation? We don't know what else there is to do. Thank you.

Answer

It could be over phasing. Try giving him smaller portions. Try letting him eat on the sofa, or asking him if he'd like food what he'd like to eat and where/how he'd like to eat it. I used to look after a lady who even though her dementia was very bad she would respond to questions, every day I asked her if she wanted tea or coffee and how she wanted it, I'd get different answers every day but she would be much more aggreable to me than anyone else and I think that's why. 
Someone else mentioned the plate which I also second, as well as anything else around that may cause a reaction/distraction. Good luck.

Answer

My nana was the same all the normal foods she use to love she wouldn't eat, we worked out all she liked was chicken nuggets or breaded chicken for a long time this was all she would eat, and bisects (cookies) with a cup of tea through out the day. We have figured out if we eat at different times from her or to fast she thinks she had her dinner for ages and that her dinner is cold so she won't eat it. We have cut down the size of her dinners now and give her snacks through out the day i.e. Sandwich, sausage rolls that kind of thing. She has now started putting weight on also changed everything to full fat. I hope some of this helps xoxa

Answer

Finger foods. He will take what he needs even if he barely touches plate.

Answer

With dementia they don't think or remember they have to eat so you may have to make him stay sitting by pulling the chair in completely and holding it there and help feed him or give him things he can eat on the go... also an appetite stimulant could help if he just doesn't have an appetite from meds but then again just because he feels hungry doesn't mean he will eat... just try different things with him! Hope something works out for y'all!

Answer

My grandma suffered from Alzheimer's for 14 years, and she had boughts where she would refuse food. Eventually we figured out that she would only eat chocolate or ice cream. I know that's not healthy, but maybe try sweets first? After we figured out what she would eat, it only took a little bit longer to get her to eat foods that were healthier for her. Dementia and Alzheimer's are so tricky 😔 good luck and I wish your family the best❤

Answer

Have you tried giving portable foods? Or like putting it in a bag? 
I had a patient I took care of who couldn't sit for her life. She wandered all day and night until she was ready for bed. And ate all of her meals walking.

Father with dementia won't eat?

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