How can I help my mother to tell me when she is hungry?
How can I help my mother to tell me when she is hungry? She stares at me and doesn't say anything for hours.
Expert Answer
As we get older we tend to eat and drink less. This has obvious repercussions. Your mother does need to eat and stay hydrated! If she has any kind of memory deficit, expressing she is hungry or knowing she is hungry is difficult.
You may consider setting regular meal times. Structure is important. Sit her at the table and put food in front of her. Make sure she can see the food. Having a high contrast between the plate and food is helpful. For example, if eating mashed potatoes, consider using a blue plate. You may need to cue her to eat if she is having difficulty relating the food to eating. You also may consider adding a bit of seasoning. Our taste buds become less sensitive as we get older, so food often tastes bland.
Also, make sure she is not having trouble swallowing and/or choking with the food and/or liquids. If this is the case, she may need some diet modifications to make sure the food she is eating is safe for her.
If all else fails, seek the help of her physician. There may be something else going on that needs to be addressed, and as a last resort, some medications are available to increase appetite.
I hope this helps and wish for you and your mother a nice "picnic" together.