re: Recommendations for bed-ridden Senior

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take a few sips to show I’m not trying to skip anything in it that he doesn’t want ;)

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that's hospice's job baw

What you are doing is not for sissies. It's tough stuff and every older parent is different.

We had to deal with Mom over pain issues and lots of meds. For a good while, she didn't want to eat much at all. When we were able to get rid of some of the meds, her appetite started increasing and she became more interested in what she was going to eat. Now, she has no problems with that at all, but it took time.

We give her some cranberry pills or gummies and get her to drink a lot of water and cranberry juice during the day to ward off UTIs which can cause all manner of problems in older folks. She woke up one morning and couldn't stand up. Turns out it was due to a UTI and it has taken a long time to get her back to where she can walk with a walker sometimes during the day. Otherwise, she is in a wheelchair. She has a home health PT gal who comes several times a week and Mom has taken to her and loves her visits.

Several years ago, Mom wanted no visitors other than immediate family and didn't want to get dressed or go anywhere. We worked our way into changing that with routine. It was a struggle initially, but now, she is dressed every day by the sitter and goes to the den every morning. We don't want her in her room all day. That's depressing. Now, she doesn't want to stay there anyway.

To get her out, we started taking her on rides all over town, whether it was looking at leaves changing or flowers blooming during whatever season it was, she ended up happy to get out and see things. Now, she loves being taken to lunch and doesn't care that she is in a wheelchair. We went from darkness to dawn, but it was a lot of work getting there. You have to almost force them to give it a try to break the ice. She has live in sitters, but we are there daily and at night.

You already have some great ideas. Instituting them is the hard part.

We got this ice cream that we ordered from somewhere on the advice of one of the sitters who told us nursing homes use it with folks who don't eat much. It might be work a try.

LINK

About a month or so ago, we watched My Cousin Vinnie. Mom loved it so much, we watched it a second time a week later. Lots of laughs, so you could put it on your list.

You're a fine son! I hope things improve for both you and your Dad.

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If she likes the flavor of Werthur's, other caramelized sugars might work.
Flan with a sugar syrup (eggs, milk, vanilla) might just get her a bunch of digestible protein with calories. (Make it with cream, not milk).
Ice cream with praline sauce (no pecans).

How is she with citrus? with garlic?

As my Father died from lung cancer (radiation did horrible things to his throat) he could swallow poached fish but no lemon or vinegar. He really enjoyed a chocolate pie my Mom's best friend made for him. Rice pudding workd-bland and soothing and almond flavoring.

I make a coconut pie with pure coconut flavoring (leave out the coconut, it's not needed, but it, too has milk/cream and egg yolks.

Peanut butter pie

Beef bullion

Polish pierogis.

Pan cakes with maple syrup

Orizo with spices if she will tolerate the spices. How's her sense of smell?

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Some good ideas here. Just gave her some ice cream with chocolate syrup. Also have carmel but she wanted the chocolate this time.

Biggest thing is she has never been a big eater anyway and we think her stomach has somewhat contracted. So I've been trying to give her small meals/snacks throughout the day as she isn't ever going to sit down to a big meal.

Protein shakes were also mentioned and have been giving her those. They are small so she is able to finish them without any trouble while giving her a lot of protein.

She'll eat fried eggs ok as long as they have a decent amount of pepper. I've been finding that while increasing the normal amount of spices helps to get through to the taste buds, it's a fine point as too much is just too much.

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Some good ideas here. Just gave her some ice cream with chocolate syrup. Also have carmel but she wanted the chocolate this time.

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Look at the link in my post above about the protein ice cream cups.

My Mom enjoys the Werther's chewy caramels.

Understood. Once the it starts warming up you should definitely make it a point to start taking him outside daily. It will do him a lot of good.