Yesterday, while Mike and I were out running errands etc... Morris (with mild Alzheimer's) was at home. When we came back, Morris had eaten through an entire new bag of cheese slices-filled with 24 slices. This happens at least once a week with multiple items in the fridge. Although we understand this is not on purpose...it is beyond frustrating to us, because we do not have the funds for this to keep happening. We are thinking about purchasing a separate fridge all together and locking it every time we leave. Again, we do not have the funds for such thing, but would have to save up to make this happen. Is over eating a common symptom of Alzheimer's? I've done some research and I've found that most people under eat? Has anyone else ran into this problem?? I want to add that a caregiver will be stepping in on Monday to help us care for Morris while we are gone. But on weekends when we are off work, this still is a problem.
This is likely a phase. My MIL used to eat seconds and thirds at meals and we laughed that maybe she had a tapeworm. Anyway, now she barely eats and we wish she had her appetite back.
You can research the life out of this disease, and all you'll find is that every person is different and every person progresses at a different rate. However, all information is good, and prepares us for what *might* happen.
Personally, in our household, we needed to cut down on sweets and junk, so I took advantage and just quit buying that sort of stuff. MIL is lactose intolerant and I suspected I was, so cheese and ice cream went easily. Don't even miss it now. Well, maybe a little, but the point is, I've tried to improve all our diets.
Obviously, you can't control every little thing. If you're strung too tight, you will burn out a lot sooner. I was glad to read that you're having a caregiver come in because, with the loss of self-control, Morris may need a little less "free" time. He may move on to medicines or chemicals, who knows. His brain is mixed up.
Best wishes.