Yes its frequent, its down to a combination of forgetting to eat, and I
suspect, just giving up. So if its just forgetting, you'll have to sit with
her and feed her. If its beyond that, accept it.

FWIW major surgery with Az patiens is (a) a waste of time, and (b) usually
gives them a huge setback in terms of memory and capabilities so they never
recover mentally in any case. So pointless even if you managed to feed her
up so she was strong.

Why not let her pass peacefully?

Carlos, no matter what you do or don't do, she will lose her sense of
balance and ability to walk. That is part of the disease. They loose
muscular coordination. She may be getting weak from not eating, but
even if she WAS eating, the same thing would become a concern with
time.

It is also very common for them to stop eating and drinking - part of
it is the same loss of coordination - its called dysphagia. They can't
chew and swallow properly - and many of them do not seem to feel
hunger and thirst like a normal person would. Thickened liquids are
usually the best solution. The nursing home will have to do a lot of
prompting and hand feeding to get calories into her, and try to get
every mouthful to count (food that is as high calorie and nutrition as
possible). I'd also be trying to feed her many times a day, rather
than just at normal "meal times" in the hopes that you can get her to
take more in with many smaller meals than fewer large ones.

Beyond that, there isn't anything you can do. When my mother in law
was in Stage 7 (incontinent, bedridden, unable to do anything for
herself, sleeping all day) and she stopped eating, we let her go.
Doesn't sound like your mother is quite at that stage yet. It is a
really miserable disease.

M.

Carlos,

Please listen to what Mary has said to you.   It is a part of the illness
and a sign that she is letting go.   Let her do what she wants.   I am sorry
to say this, but the illness does sometimes do this.

A wheelchair and a "lap buddy" can help; she can't fall down if she
can't get up.  If you're in the US, MediCare will pay most of the cost
of the wheelchair.

Blessed be,
Baird

Carlos, my husband stopped eating and drinking two weeks before he died.  It
may be that your mother is just tired and ready to let go.  If that is true,
don't begrudge her being able to stop the AD.
Gwen

Thank you Thumblewedd, Mary, Evelyn, Baird for your kind and
informative answers. One more question. What can I expect as she
deteriorates due to lack of food? (Kidney or other organs failure?
When to move to palliative care? Can future discomfort be controlled
with medications?)

Txs, Carlos