this post was submitted on 20 Jul 2025
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We do. That's one of the harder things with this non-amnestic MCI. She remembers everything, has her opinions, remembers what's happening currently in the news. There's an aloofness there that is difficult to overcome when in conversation.
The eating issues relate to a series of mouth ops in the past and now poor decision making about what she can (or will) eat. Only thing that slows that MCI business is eating and exercise. It's basically compounding. Other thing with the MCI stuff is stress and anxiety. Ol' boy and I are stressed about not enough food, makes her stressed, makes things worse. If ol' boy and I aren't banging on about food, she eats less which further... It's fucked.
E: In terms of long term when asking her it's day by day.
Would low pressure snacks like tea and biscuits be palatable? Egg custard? Creamy soups?
(Sorry if this is unsolicited advice. I seem to be giving a lot of it lately)
I'll take any advice atm so please don't say sorry I'm thankful for everyone here chiming in. She's had so much of it from so many doctors. Was resetting her medicare app the other day and it's just insane how many appts she's had.
Creamy soups seems to be the only thing atm.
Maybe try mango slices, avocado slices - things that slide down easily and don't need much chewing but still have plenty of nutrition.
That’s good. I’ve really been sticking my oar in lately.
Broccoli and cheese soup might be a winner? Can you put protein powder in? I found a thing https://thegeriatricdietitian.com/high-calorie-soups/
A soup mug/thermos mug with a sipping hole might make it easier than a bowl and spoon too, to hold in her hand and take an occasional mouthful. It will help her do it herself and keep it warm if she needs to take her time.
I’d also be delicately enquiring about any nausea, bowel troubles or quickly feeling full. Gastroparesis can happen after surgery and she could try pro kinetics if the doctor thinks it’s safe.
Does she have a dietician or a gastroenterologist? It’s unfair if you’ve been left to manage this mostly yourself.
Oh missed this reply sorry.
The thermos thing is a really good idea. I'm going to try that. Thank you.
Thankfully asking about nausea / bowel things is pretty standard.
Quickly feeling full is a struggle. To my mind with how little she's eating it happens very quickly.
I think one of the problems is just how many people she's seeing. Problem is they don't all speak to each other.
Ol' boy is the one managing it on a macro level, but I'm trying to get everything to fit together day to day as it's a bit chaotic.
For example, w/ her eye pressure meds (this is to prevent total blindness), can only take a few of them with food, but they interact w/ each other so you have to space them out. When you have random food refusal.. it's just super difficult to get it into a schedule. It's a bit frustrating lol.
Believe me I know it. Food refusal vs med schedule…
Maybe just a spoonful of peanut butter. If there’s difficulty swallowing (or it would be painful for her mouth to manage) then try a bit of peanut butter thinned with yogurt, or just straight up yogurt. Even a shot glass or tablespoon worth of a soft food is at least something. Vaalia do tiny tubs or there are yogurt pouches she can hold by herself.
If she doesn’t do sweet stuff plain yogurt is an option, or baby food is another thing that comes in pouches. It’s not dignified to eat baby food but she will have the option to feed herself. There’s also thinned cream/cottage cheese or different types of dips.
Also she doesn’t have to finish the whole thing the same day. A tub or jar can last a few days in the fridge if you cover it and use a clean spoon each time. A pouch can be squeezed onto a spoon.
Ensure comes in neutral flavour now if too much sugar makes her nauseous. It still contains oligosaccharides which can upset your stomach a bit but they will be helpful to keep her stomach moving when she isn’t eating a lot. Diluting it will help.
Hang in there. It’s not really realistic that her team would have meetings but hopefully there’s some way for them to talk to each other.