Can anyone help direct me to an article that explains why people with dementia choke on food and have problems swallowing? My uncle yells at my aunt for eating too fast, but I am sure it's part of her disease and I can't find anything on the web that would explain it easy enough for him to understand.
I'm hoping that Dr. Grimaldi can answer this for me in a manner that my 88 year old uncle could understand. His 82 year old wife has dementia and recently I have noticed that her choking while swallowing or drinking more often. My uncle gets annoyed because he thinks she's not paying attention, but I feel strongly it's part of her disease. If I'm wrong,tell me - if I'm right can you please supply an expaination that will be simple enough for my uncle to understand. I could really use some help with this one. Thanks
I'm not a medical person but I have read an awful lot on this just lately and that its a very common problem - the swallowing reflex in stroke victims and that's why they use thickening agents. My husband just laughs it off even when he vomits but I am absolutely terrified quite apart from what other people think if we're out. We don't eat out in public anymore.
It's all a learning curve I suppose but I'd have been grateful to have known a bit more about this years ago and what I might expect in the future. I was using my liquidiser today to make soup and I must say it really got me to thinking what the next stage might be - not very appealing so shall try not to think about it too much then
I guess I've noticed my Mama had started coughing, and doing a little gagging, a bit more often when she eats, maybe sometimes in the last year or so.
Maybe I should point out, that her mental state is being affected from limited blood flow to the brain, from arterial blockage in her neck arteries...nothing they can do really, what with her age, the level of hardening, and her already precarious cardio concerns.
Now I just figured she was just getting some bits of food or liquid down the wrong pipe, maybe from her dentures possibly needing adjustment, and she's not getting enough chew action or something.
She insists they're just fine & dandy as candy (which by the way, she seems to have absolutely no trouble with what so ever, so at least I know her sweet tooth is in great shape).
Also asked her if maybe her mouth was getting too dry, possibly from a multitude of various medication adjustments, and she said, with the just proper amount of annoyance, that it wasn't any kind of problem..."I've got plenty of spit, you worry about yours!", *SNORT*, she's so damn cute:-) !
She says that she just took a breath at the wrong time, but then she would..
But it's happening with enough more frequency, it's become more noticeable, and I have to admit, becoming worrisome.
I am planning on sneaking in an appointment to have them chompers checked out, at the time of her next heart doc appointment...well see, getting her to her cardiologist is hard enough, but doing something like getting her to go to a "silly" denture check up, that's like pulling teeth (pun not really intended, but I'll take a really bad one where I can get 'em).
Big time food for thought (there I go again..can't help it, I know, I'm hopeless), and thanks again, you guys are filling me wee little brain with real time, close to home, helpful information, that I don't seem to be able to get anywhere else, and it's quality info I can use!
I suggest any person who is having trouble getting proper nutrition in an Alzheimer's patient to use these bottles. Sipping is easier than chewing, if the time comes. You even can buy a can of Thickener at the drug store that you put in water, or liquids that would help the person drink nutrition without choking. If you see your loved on choking on foods, it is time to reevaluate his swallowing abilities and start on pureed foods until you can assess what their swallowing abilities are. Food can aspirate into their lungs if they throw up which could cause infection. My mom with alzheimers primarily drank 4 boost plus's per day, (1500 calories) for about 5 months before she refused food completely. Then the big question: Do you put in a feeding tube???? Please. please think about this carefully and know that most Alzheimer patients stop eating, because their brain is not giving them the signals. I was not able to accept that my mom was dying when she refused food and water. I thought she was just a disabled person who I had to help. I regret putting in the feeding tube, although I have had 3 months more so far with mom. The quality of her life really is not good, even though she is home with loving caregivers. Try and be realistic and come to terms with the fact that Alzheimer patients do not get better. As they decline and the issue of food becomes problematic, think about what you are going to do if you are faced with death vs. feeding tube. If your loved ones have early stages, please have a conversation with them to know what their wishes are. That would have helped me. Good Luck.
i keep his food so soft and smash if needed . no more meats unless its meatloaf . chock milk seems to be easier to swallow than it would be with water , apple juice , anything thats thin liquid .
tell ur uncle that he needs to stop harpin at his wife .
Cathy
Some people may have grown up in a time when there wasn't enough food. Then, when Alzeimer's takes them back to that time, they feel they'd better eat now or it may disappear. There are just so many reasons this can happen, that she needs to see a doctor and her husband needs the problem explained to him by a professional. He'll be more likely to take their advice.
Take care of yourself, too.
Carol