Mom went to the best nursing home in town last Thursday for rehab, hopefully she can come home at some point. She has never been a good eater and gets embarrassed eating in front of others because she can't see well and is messy. At least three days she has gotten "sick" at meal time, wheeled her to the nurse's station and then back to her room. The nurses take her vitals (recent arrhythmia diagnosis), they are fine, she says she isn't in pain. I think it's nerves, she told me she is kind of enjoying meal time when she sits with residents who are social and talk. Her roommate says mom isn't eating much at all, she is trying to encourage her.
Any ideas on what to do? They are giving her ensure, so that is helpful. I take her back to the doctor on Monday, need to start a big list of questions.
Thanks.
Nancy
Thanks for the tips. I do buy oatmeal raisin cookies and Fig Newtons. When he goes to the store he will buy chips and dip. I've caught him sitting in the den munching away, his cheeks full just before dinner time. In a way I guess it's funny, but he always tells me not to put salt on his food. He is not overweight and is in fact thin. He is a very active, hyper person, always has been. Also has no sugar problem. So as I said, maybe at 97 let him enjoy what he lkes.
Maybe she should be consuming soft mild soups instead of heavy meals. Medications of course could be the cause. Make sure she is getting the electrolytes she needs if she is vomiting. Pedi something that they use for kids would work.. Don't know if you want to add any more medications but over the counter zantax works for me and calms my stomach.
She is concerned about her weight, she went from 108 to 110, which is excellent! Today is her birthday, my brother is going at noon to visit. He was a psychologist for 20 years before we started our own business. He knows what is going on and is very good at figuring out what she is thinking. She doesn't complain about this when she is in her chair for PT. She complains how long she in PT, they work with her and then she sits for a while and her sessions go as long as 2-3 hours. I tried to tell her at least she can look around and visit and isn't stuck in her room. One of the aides took her outside on Monday in the courtyard with a few others. She felt sick and had to go back to her room.
I thought maybe it was sitting in her chair and really more of a discomfort/pain. We are going to ask about a wheelchair that kind of reclines, so she isn't sitting at a 90 degree angle.
She has macular degeneration and they can't do anything for her eyes. I am going to have the OT talk to her about eating. Since she broke her right upper arm in late March, she has trouble with utensils. I have eaten there and the food is really good, so much better than the hospital. Since she really can't tell me what is wrong, I think it's more anxiety than anything. She is also very afraid of her rate zooming up. They check her vitals every time she has a spell and they are always okay.
I just want her to be comfortable there and work on her goals so she can come home. We will most likely continue with home health at home and some hours from her private care giver agency.
Do you all feel like this is a full time job, at times?