Loss of Appetite

[Ray__0]

Posted by Ray on July 22, 1999 at 16:53:12
My aunt is 82 years old and lives alone in her 2 bedroom house. Her only child lives in another city and I am the only one who can attend to her needs. She has Emphysema, but seems to have it under control. However, she has no appetite for healthy foods. She eats processed food a lot, dried noodle-type soups (Ramen) that you add hot water to, crackers, store-bought cookies, and such kind of snack foods. She eats bacon and has 2 poached eggs every day with toast (white bread). Her diet lacks fresh fruit, vegetables, and meat. When I offer to prepare decent meals, she complains she has no appetite. She has been on Valium for years and I suspect, perhaps, this medicine has dulled her taste for healthy foods. ....Her personality has changed since all her siblings died from congeniality to suspicion and distrust. Other remaining family members cannot tolerate her accusations of stealing. For instance, she accused a step-niece of taking a mattress set while she took a nap. She says her mattress was a different color. Nothing said will change her accusation and she has destroyed the relationship she had with this niece. Her only child (son) has lost his patience because he is tired of travelling miles at her every beck and call. He recently retired and has his own health problems as well as his wife. ....  She called me very early this morning and said she wasn't feeling well and said to, "Hurry!" I rushed over and she did appear sick. However, I made her some Chamomile tea and within minutes she seemed much better, well enough to take me down memory lane for an hour, complain about her son's neglect of her for another hour. He couldn't or wouldn't come because he had a pre-arranged obligation to go out of town for the week-end. Needless to say, she was troubled by his "Neglect". Upon my leaving, she was ready to take a nap. ....Please tell me, is it possible that the afore-mentioned diet, lonliness, and addiction to Valium attribute to her seemingly attention-getting tactics? If so, then I need to know how to handle each given "Emergency" situation. ....I love my aunt and I'm just trying to understand her needs whether they are physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, or possibly a combination. She is reluctant to see her doctor and is not affiliated with any religion. ....Thank you for any clue or suggestions to my inquiry.    Respectfully, Ray              

Posted by HFHS MD-JM on July 27, 1999 at 08:01:14
Ray,
   It appears that you have taken on the role of primary caregiver for your 82 year old aunt.  I don't have a clear idea as to what she is capable of accomplishing on her own but, it would be helpful to encourage her independance as much as possible.
   The important issue to ascertain is if your aunt is capable of living on her own safely.  Her suspiciousness and poor self care may indicate a dementia.  Someone must be prescribing her Valium and I suggest you discuss these concern with them further.
    Keep in mind that isolation, medical illness and being elderly are all risk factors for depression.  By the way, Valium should not affect ones appetite in any manner.  The information provided in this forum is for general educational purposes only.  Specific questions should always be directed to your personal physician.

Sincerely,
HFHS MD-JM
Keywords:  Dementia, depression