Some Dementia patients literally forget how to eat.They are a big challenge.I have one just now,wasting away before our eyes. Make mealtimes calm and comfortable. Refusal to eat and get out of bed regularly can make the difference between life and death within a matter of days as leg clots begin to form, and infectious diseases take hold of a body in a weakened state. The person with dementia may not eat because food may not smell or taste as good as it once did. When a patient stops or refuses to eat, things can be very depressing for the caregiver. Refusing to eat and drink or take medication. All members of the interdisciplinary team can positively impact care of the patient who is refusing to eat or drink. I care for a person with dementia . We thicken all fluids with supplement so that when we do get something into her it counts.She clams up her mouth and fights you away because you are poking this metal thing at her mouth and she doesn't know why.If food does go in her mouth she doesn't always … In the sixth stage, patients are generally unaware of their surroundings, cannot recall recent … Mar 26, 2019 #1 Hello It has been a wile since I posted. Three things are the sign posts that say the dying process has begun: decreased eating, increased sleeping, and withdrawal. In the advanced stage of dementia when the patient only has several months or weeks left, his intake of food and fluid tends to decrease gradually over time. The … As dementia progresses, it affects these areas, which then expresses as symptoms the carer sees such as coughing or choking, clearing the throat, grimacing when swallowing, exaggerated movements of the mouth or tongue, refusal to swallow or holding food in the mouth or spitting food out. Feb 11, 2017 41 0. People with dementia seem to cling to life and this stage can last longer than you ever expected. Drinking and eating are complex and have to do with a control center that is within the brain, which controls the muscles in the throat and neck area. Try to find the reason why your loved one with Dementia refuses to eat would be the best way to resolve the issue. My mum lasted 17 days with absolutely no food or fluid at all, but most people do not last this long. During the middle stages of Alzheimer's, distractions, too many choices, and changes in perception, taste and smell can make eating more difficult. Here are some tips that can hep overcome mealtime challenges for Dementia patients. When the patient begins to forget the names of their children, spouse, or primary caregivers, they are most likely entering stage 6 of dementia and will need full time care. Maintaining a Healthy Diet . When caring for patients with dementia, a healthy diet is essential to keep both the body and mind strong. Thread starter AW1938; Start date Mar 26, 2019; A. AW1938 Registered User. When do dementia patients stop eating? The process of a gradual death from disease takes two to four months (old age with no disease takes longer). Your mums body is slowly closing down, and has been for a while now. 1,2 Health care professionals must first evaluate patient for dysphagia, dementia, depression, organic disease, self-destructive behavior, and medication use to determine the underlying cause of the refusal.