Alzheimer's and eating

Posted By C. Koniniec on June 16, 1997 at 10:05:56:









Is there a biological reason why an Alzheimer's patient will eat large quantities on one day and the next not want to eat at all?  Is it necessary to insist on eating every meal or would it be permissible to just eat when they feel the need?  If they are willing to eat only one item e.g. cookies, is there any real reason why that can't be allowed?  Patient is 90 years old and is not nutritionally deprived except for occasional refusals to eat the specified three meals a day.