Comments on: End of Life Nutrition: What Everyone Needs to Know

By: Kathy. Jensen

Kathy. Jensen — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 00:14:17 +0000

This is so timely. I am second guessing our decisions but your article has helped me to understand the processes my husband is going through. Thank you for your thorough and compassionate information.

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 22:05:59 +0000

This article has been a God send, Thank you Katie 💖 I was Distraught , trying to find answers to my Mom, with Alzheimer’s, eating less and less. The food fighting, pleading, reasoning, encouraging (tears) has been going on with us with little to no success. My husband and I are caring for her in our home. This article gave me permission to let go of my grip and false belief that eating would give her strength and slow down her Alzheimer’s. That I was doing a bad job of caring for her. It has been another layer of my acceptance that my Mom is dying. I can let go of what I have no control over and have the grace to soften and enjoy our time together.

By: Pat

Pat — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 22:51:04 +0000

Thank you for this well written, essential information. My uncle, at 100 years of age, healthy cognitively but emaciated near the end, did not want his food. He even rejected dessert. However if I offered ice cream from the “cafe”, he would enjoy a couple of spoon fulls. When I mentioned this to the food manager of independent living, he immediately ordered that ice cream be offered anytime. I think the cold and the sweetness refreshed my uncle’s mouth. I’m passing your link to my daughter who is power of healthcare for me.

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 04 May 2023 14:20:45 +0000

Thank you for this article. My mom is in the end stages of dementia and her appetite has been decreasing over the last 2 months or so. She currently is eating very little. Your blog post helped me understand what is likely going on and gave me “permission” to not worry about feeding her in the same why I had been trying.

By: Teresa Johns

Teresa Johns — Sat, 15 Apr 2023 16:30:05 +0000

Thank you so much for your informative article. This is just what I needed…down to earth, realistic, and concise. I just read it for the second time. I’m sure others must have experienced this. My sister was in the very final stages of death in the hospital. Our nurse family friend started feeding her puree and liquids and it literally brought her back from the brink. It was truly a miracle and resulted in a rally. Frankly, I do have mixed feelings about the prolonging of the process. However, I am thankful for additional precious time I can now be with her. I am now a hospice caretaker for her and I am struggling with many of the issues in the blog. Thankfully, no food fights though. We let her set the pace and amount. The period of time she holds food in her mouth is increasing as she is trying to remember how to swallow. She has Alzheimer’s which was diagnosed 3 1/2 yrs ago after at least a 10 yr struggle with anorexia. Her appetite is decreasing daily. Her weight is down to 87 lbs. Please help me maneuver through this difficult time. Thank you.

By: Katie Dodd

Katie Dodd — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 22:00:00 +0000

In reply to Johanna Rowland. Thank you! ❤️

By: Johanna Rowland

Johanna Rowland — Sun, 27 Nov 2022 17:14:17 +0000

Stumbled across this blog just because I want to read/learn/research as much as possible as I caregive for my 92 year old mom. I absolutely love that you took time to explain, clarify, and instruct in your blog without judging and with an empathetic heart ❤️. Well, written, personal, informative and based on actual research!! I so appreciate this article!!

By: Maria

Maria — Sun, 20 Feb 2022 15:04:24 +0000

Very useful information. My father is 59 and has a lot of underlying neurological conditions. He also suffers from dementia. His swallow function has slowed down and he cannot physically swallow. When we were told his nutrition would stop even water, I was devastated. This article has helped me understand how it would benefit my father to actually not have anything. Thank you very much.

By: Katie Dodd

Katie Dodd — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 15:28:23 +0000

In reply to Sinead Cullen. I am so sorry. I would recommend speaking to the administrators of the nursing home and seeing what your options are. Additionally, a referral to an ethics team can also help to navigate difficult situations.

By: Sinead Cullen

Sinead Cullen — Sat, 29 Jan 2022 15:07:41 +0000

Hi Katie, my mum is at end of life stage with Alzheimers in a nursing home. Her appetite is decreasing rapidly. Her caregivers make her take a supplemental drink which she finds distressing. My mum also suffers with profound depression and wishes to die. Should they be making her take this? Thanks, Sinéad