Mom is 88 and has Dementia, COPD, Parkinson, some Alzheimers and is now bedridden. She eats well but at times will not open her mouth to eat and today looked at me and asked me "what do you want me to do?" After requesting her to open her mouth so she could eat; she did not. She eats other meals during the day.
At times it gets very frustrating, but I have come to just say OK and walk away and not let it get to me.
What have others done in this instance? Been doing this going on 7 years and this is one thing that pushes a button.
Thanks a million!
I don't have advice really, since your mother has dementia/alz and mine didn't (different brain processes). In my grandmother's case, she was often defiant and angry-- about what, who knows-- but she had little control in most every aspect of her life and she hated that. Eating or not eating was her means of controlling something. And she was always worried about her looks and weight, despite never being fat.
Sounds like you're doing the right thing by walking away. Can't force her to eat and if she is consciously playing games, you're not obliged to play along. If she eats otherwise, she'll be okay.
Is she able to feed herself?