Hi everybody. My grandma refuses to eat and drink. No matter what we do, what we cook - even her favorite food she doesn't eat it. What should we do? Should we force her to eat? She has lost a bit of weight till today and it concerns us a lot. Whenever I ask her to eat, she is like her food or home is not here and it breaks me.
So sorry for the loss of your grandma.
As we age, our taste buds weaken and the last to go are the "sweet" taste buds which is often why older people will not want any regular food but still want sweets, candy, etc. Will she eat anything like that?
If none of that is working, and I hate to say this, stopping eating is sometimes one of the first steps in an older person's "transitioning" time before they pass away. This could last months, it doesn't mean it's imminent but it is not uncommon for them to stop eating. Does she seem ill in any other way?
In any case, I hope you take care of yourself and stay healthy, too!
It's possible she is choosing to not eat or drink to come to her end. Ask her. Talk with her if that's what she's choosing. Perhaps she's just had enough of this lifetime and it's the last thing she can control.
If she's choosing to stop, be kind and brave and support her decision. Notify her doctor. Keep her comfortable. [edited: I included a note about accepting hospice, but just saw your note below hospice is not available in your country.].
Let's say for example Grandma still enjoys ice cream. If she wants it for breakfast, ask her if she wants one scoop or two.
Call her doctor and get her seen by a speech pathologist. That can happen in the hospital, too, so if she needs to go to the ER, that's an option.
It may be time to get hospice involved and see what they think. They will be better able to guide you through the dying process.
Best wishes.
Almost all dementia patients lose the ability to swallow at some point and need foods pureed and fluids thickened.
The speech person can tell you what grandma needs