I just had to share this, because I am amazed! Yesterday I watched Mom eat everything on her plate at lunch. I have never, ever seen her do anything except pick at a few bites and move it around her plate - for the last 10 years - no matter what the food is or how good it is. They tell me she eats all her breakfast and lunch now, and asks for dinner 1/2 hour early. What? Really? After all these years!
I don't know whether it is her age, the change in food or the NH care. It seems she has adjusted to life in the NH (I think she secretly likes all the attention).
A month ago, we didn't think she would live a month, but now, she will be gaining weight and strength and maybe even feel better.
Has anyone else witnessed this phenomena?
In 4 months she's had pneumonia, a UTI and fell at least 7 times, gashing her head, barking her shins, hurting her ribs, elbow (she refuses to stay put and ask for help - and moves FAST!) - yet no broken bones, ever. She must be made of rubber. She now has cellulitis and says it doesn't hurt. We have noticed she has always had very little sense of pain. Strange!
For my Mom she did that for maybe 2 weeks. She was feeding herself, as messy as it was, she was trying.... started to gain weight... and her communication was now making more sense, she was telling me she really needed a haircut, even bluntly told my sig other he needed a hair cut, too [which he did]. But all of that was short-lived for her, she stopped eating, and just wanted to sleep all the time.
Keep us updated on what your Mom is doing.
I do think you're right that she's acclimating to her new surroundings, enjoying the attention, and becoming more enthused about life.
Thanks for sharing this exciting news, and I hope that this trend continues and your mother continues to enjoy her care.