Caregiver's Support

I recall that you once took care of your mother, correct?  Did she loose all her muscle mass/fat?  My mom looks like a Holcaust victim and it's real scarey looking at bath time.  She's nothing but bone.  Weighed in at 89 lbs about 5 mos ago but I'm sure it's less now, even tho she eats like a horse.  Should I be worried?

Colleen

Hi Colleen,

Yes, my mom was really tiny at the end.  Actually, she was a small person - about 4 feet 11 inches with shoes on.  Due to osteoporosis, etc., she got smaller as she aged.  I'm not sure what she was when she died but I think her weight was in the 70's.  We fed her as much as she seemed to want but she did lose the weight anyway.  I'm not sure how it affected her physically in the long run.  During her last months, she did not walk (due to all the hip/leg fractures) so that probably contributed to the loss of appetite and weight as well as not getting any weight-bearing exercise such as walking.

I think as long as your mom is eating well and getting all the nutrition she needs, there's not much you can do unless her doctor has found some other physical reason for the weight loss.  You may want to check with her doctor or a nutritionist to see if there are certain foods that you could add that would give her more calories.  It's good she is eating well.

 

Calley7

OK, Thanks Calley.  It's nice to have someone who's been there before me to talk with.  I hope it doesn't bother you to talk about this....I just blurted out my question w/out even thinking about that.  Blush, blush. 

I wish there were more caregivers posting here...it seems odd to me that there isn't and it would sure take a load off your shoulders, wouldn't it?  What I mean by that is....that you are the only one answering people's Q's and I'm sure you must sometimes feel "over-obligated" for lack of a better word.  That's why I try to chime in when I think I "might" know what I'm talking about lol.  It's always nice IMO to have a couple, three, or more opinions.  However, I do realize that some caregivers just can't spare the time.  My load is light, as my mom is still mobile.

Now I gotta go find some wood to knock on LOL!  Colleen

Colleen,

You made me laugh:)  I totally agree that the more input we can give someone from our experiences, the more it may help.  I don't mind at all talking about my experience...so ask away.

 

Calley7

UPDATE:

My "light load" has suddenly become heavier as mom started having these seizures.  She's been to the hospital twice this last wk.  The first time they kept her overnight for observation. The 2nd time (the day after I brought her home) she collasped in my arms and I couldn't hold her weight but luckily, I have younger people living here that can help....my gs and his g/f.  I have bad arthritis in my hands and other body parts but it's most painful in my thumb joints.  I had to slowly ease her to the floor and yell for help.  We have no diagnosis since the doctor saw nothing...she either fainted or had a seizure. They did all the testing on the first visit to the ER and said there was nothing left to do.   She's very weak and I tried to weigh her on our bathroom scale - gulp - 75 lbs!  I knew she was less than 89 but I didn't know it was THAT low.  We go for a follow-up appt on Tues. so we'll see what her true weight is, that is if I can get her there.....she seems to favor the bed rather than get up & sit in her chair.