My mom died in January and my dad, who never did the cooking, is now having to fend for himself. He's very particular and WILL NOT eat other people's cooking. He has been eating basically junky food (fast food--Teriyaki Madness, Jersey Mikes Subs--Walmart lasagne, Walmart cheap frozen pizzas, spaghetti with Walmart meatballs and sauce). He buys the cheapest stuff at Walmart even though he has the money to buy higher quality food. He goes to Whole Foods to get a peanut butter cookie that he likes, but won't look at their frozen foods, like I've asked him to. I am concerned that these eating habits are contributing (or will ) to cognitive decline. Does anyone else have a problem like this? Any suggestions?
He is a grown a$$ man you know and can eat whatever he darn well pleases. So unless you want to drop off homecooked healthy meals every night for him to eat, I would just let him be. At least he's eating.
And just FYI...I knew of a woman who lived the last 5 years of her life just eating cashews and ice-cream, and she died at 103.
Are there any people nearby who would enjoy going out and just socialize one or 2 afternoons a week?
T. Will call me and say it's WINE TIME! Go get our other neighbor !! So I walk next door with my dog to find my 98 year old friend. We walk to T's house for wine, food and talk ..
we mix it up from time to time.. T. will drive 98 lovely lady. And I will walk my dog to our happy hour spot, sit on the patio and order a bottle of wine and some plates on the cheap.. if anyone else on our corner wants to join, they most certainly are welcome too:)
it really doesn't hurt to ask your elderly neighbor over for a glass of spirit and a bit o talk and a bite to eat.. it's fun, and wonderful way to socialize these older people. You get to listen to their stories.. it's fun!!! I wouldn't change it .. ENJOY THE MOMENT!
Sometimes T calls me after she call miss 98, and I'll see her racing across the street with her walker!!! Then I scold both of them for starting the party without me... 🤣
You need to realize Dad is in grief from loosing his wife. When my husband died, the few 2 years were the worst. Unless he has lost 20 lbs overnight, he is fine not being nagged about what he eats.
I don't see anything wrong with your Dad knowing what he wants to eat and having what he wants. Stop trying to control his diet to conform to your ideas of "healthy".
He has lived long enough to earn the right to eat whatever he wants.
Staying hydrated is more of concern IMO.
Good nutrition may prolong life, help retain abilities (like mobility) and help one to heal better/faster... but to what end in someone with advancing dementia? The top 2 reasons the very elderly with advanced dementia pass is from 1) Pneumonia, especially aspiration pneumonia; and 2) Eating/swallowing failure and the resulting decline. Other common causes are infection, heart issues (CHF/stroke) and general frailty and the consequences of immobility. No amount of "good nutrition" is going to stave this off.
100% let them eat what they want when they want and how they want and don't fret about it for a minute.
See All Answers