Father-in-law, 77, has depression, dehydration & now broke his arm. How do we stimulate appetite?

Answer 1

Is he in the hospital? How do you know he's dehydrated? Old people eat like little kids, try small frequent meals, offer snacks, Popsicles are good for one handers, plus gives them there Independence.

Answer 2

Depression and pain can both decrease appetite. Adequate treatment should help. This can include therapy, medications, and physical therapy. Do not be too afraid of pain killers -- used appropriately, they should help, not hurt. Some medications can cause a decrease in appetite. Others can cause sleepiness or nausea, both of which can greatly affect the appetite.

A variety of foods and fluids should be introduced slowly, especially if he is nauseated or has not eaten in a few days. Humans can live more than week without food, but only a few days without fluid. Be sure he has plenty to drink. Of course, be sure his doctor helps coordinate his care. Many different doctors can prescribe meds without knowing what others have been prescribed. (Drug interactions can decrease appetite.) His primary care provider should be able to coordinate this.

There are medications that can help stimulate appetite. These may seem tempting at this time, but the cause appears evident, and relatively short-term. These medications are usually reserved for long-term loss of appetite (with significant weight loss) that often accompanies chronic illnesses such as cancer.

Answer 3

Sounds like a trip to the hospital is in order. They will fix the arm and get him on IV fluids to combat the dehydration. Once the immediate problems are taken care of, he needs to be treated for the depression. There are so many medical alternatives on the market, he doesn't have to live this way. Ask the hospital staff about the mental health professionals that work there. They know who the best Dr. is and can recommend someone.

Answer 4

First, with dehydration-get him to the nearest hospital ASAP! When he is at the hospital, have him evaluated for depression-and the proper med for that for him, and how to stimulate his appetitie? Ask for the nutritionist to talk with about that. For the dehydration-he may very well need an IV for an hour or so. Broken arm-make sure it's set correctly. He needs to eat-and drink milk-or somehow get extra calcium (ice cream?) in his diet to help that bone mend quickly. I wish you all the best. Take care.

Answer 5

Well if he is dehydrated, then why does the doctor not have him in a hospital, right now, that is very serious, and they can take care of that and his appetite, and broken arm, but if he is dehydrated he should of been put into a hospital right away for that condition, cause he could die if it is not taken care of right away. So get in touch with his doctor about that and see why they did not put him in the hospital to get him undehyfrated.

Answer 6

Assuming he has been discharged from acute care, and you are trying to maintain his health at home...

Give him MUCH smaller portions of food. Like half a cup of ice cream, a quarter of a sandwich, etc.

Also, much smaller glasses of fluid...not less fluid in a large glass but less fluid in a small glass.

Older patients such as your F-I-L become overwhelmed at the sight of too much food, and they lose their appetite in a snap.

Can he walk? Take him for a walk and walk past someplace where the food smells REALLY good, then order only a plate of the food HE usually likes, ask for a second plate, and dish him up tiny portions of his favorites, maybe even one at a time.

Monitor the boob tube. Cut out the dramas and world news.

Comedies, Cartoons and Animal Shows like "Wild Kingdom".

Does he fish? This is what fishing TV is for...

G.E.T.
Registered Nurse, retired