Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Thursday, September 15, 2016

New Subject

Up early to read and plan my day. New subject to deal with today, extra nutrition for Bob.

First did another call to cardiologist since Lasix dose is not taking enough fluid off him. He's short of breath and unsteady on his feet. Likely cardiologist will increase dose and have me continue. Waiting call back on that subject.

Second, made appointments for flu shots. Got to keep up with all the immunizations they want us old folks to have.

Third, talked to sister-in-law about her painful hip and back. Told her to do what the doctors recommended or keep that subject to herself.

Fourth, began researching extra nutrition for Bob. He's continuing to lose weight. Called anti coagulation lab to see if any truth to what I'd read that people on blood thinners should not use commercial high nutrition drinks because they often do not play well with blood thinner medications. Yes, that is true because most of them contain vitamin K. Can use those drinks but must notify lab and take him in for blood tests to see how it's affecting his clotting numbers. They will adjust medication accordingly.

That seems like a lot of trouble. Suggested I make high nutrition shake at home, and maybe add protein powder. Nope, they're also concerned about how much protein he's getting.

Taste buds don't work as well in the elderly. They often begin to crave spicier foods, and like the taste of salt and sugar. If you visit a nursing home at mealtime you will often see workers opening packets of sugar to sprinkle over patients' food trays. They may not know what they're eating but will enjoy the sweet taste. Other things that affect appetite are medications and dementia.

This afternoon I'll be researching juicing, high nutrition shake recipes, extra nutrition through snacks and hiding foods from a food processor to regular recipes. Probably need to move to several small meals a day rather than normal three.

I'm thinking having him in the kitchen may be a problem because he will see when I'm slipping in extra nutrition and may disapprove. If he doesn't see it, will probably never know it's there.

This is all very opposite to what I need to be eating. He'll never remember to eat multiple times a day because that will be new to him. He can still do a little cooking if it's an old recipe with few ingredients and directions. Anything new will be beyond his ability.

Have call in to hospital education department in hopes they'll have some recipes and suggestions for me.

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. I can be nurse and caregiver, I think I have a handle on that. Nutritionist  food shopper, and cook, not so much.

21 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you've called the hospital education department. Hopefully they have some ideas, or even a referral. I remember when my dad lost his appetite (he had Lewy Body dementia), Medicare covered the cost of a dietician/nutritionist coming to the home for an evaluation of the situation and recommendations. Just like doctors, dietitians can have specialties too. It would be nice to talk to one with experience with elders/dementia/CHF/blood thinners. Wow, just typing all those conditions seems overwhelming. I give you a ton of credit Linda for all you are doing, and for doing it so well!

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    1. I figure you only get help if you search for it and make known what you're looking for. I'm on the hunt for help where ever I can find it.

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  2. I understand some of your frustration. I've been drinking more homemade smoothies with protein powder added. I don't like the protein powder. I can tell it has changed the drink a little and that annoys me but my sugar seems to like the drinks. I'd love to hear more about any good recipes you find. Hope Bob likes the drinks because that is an easy way to slip in extra nutrition.

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    1. I've never done smoothies. This is all new to me.

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  3. I don't have anything to add to this conversation except moral support. I do make a protein drink for breakfast every morning using Herbalife protein and healthy meal mixes plus fruit and ice that is so good tasting it doesn't taste like it's good for you. If you end up just getting a blender, make sure you get one that has a blade that reverses when it gets bogged down. I've researched the fancy juicers but so far my blender does just fine for my purposes.

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    1. I don't have cabinet space for multiple contraptions. Thanks for the blender tip. I'll keep that in mind.

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  4. Good food for a person can get very complicated. I look on the internet for suggestions. I'm not really pleased with what nutritionists give me.

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    1. A big part of the problem is I'm not interested in the subject. Find it all very complicated.

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  5. We try to eat healthy and mom really does try to keep a healthy balance even though she loves her sweets. Ahhh... flu shots! Right! Need to get those!

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    1. Because Bob's blood disorder greatly diminishes his immune system we have to take great precautions to keep him away from areas where he could pick up something. I had never taken a flu shot in my life until Bob's hematologist asked me to get up to date on immunizations & to get all the immunizations Bob gets.

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  6. Nutrition is so much more than just eating. With no dietary restrictions yet, I just try to serve balanced meals, with caution about calorie intake.
    You have a much bigger task on your hands. I hope you can find a way for you to meet your health needs while also meeting Bob's.

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    1. I'd far rather deal with the medical than the nutritional. Will call today to see if Medicare and insurance will pay for a visit for me to consult with a dietitian about Bos's situation.

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  7. It sounds like you're doing everything there is to do. I'm sure it is overwhelming. My husband likes protein drinks, but I've never tried them. I take blood thinners and did not know about the supplemental drinks. Of course, I don't need them, but it's good to know for future reference.

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    1. Years ago I used Ensure with my mother but she wasn't on blood thinners.

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  8. Add me to those who didn't know about the supplemental drinks. Mom used them after suggestions from her doc, and generally liked them, but she didn't have any conditions that would proscribe Vitamin K. On the other hand, her blood pressure medication meant no grapefruit juice, and she just hated that.

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    1. I didn't know about grapefruit juice. See, we learn from each other.

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  9. Mother used to drink Ensure. Not sure what's in it! You are golden to try so hard to do all you can for your Bob!

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    1. Hope you're tucking away all this information. With you being younger than LD odds are you'll need it. I'm ten years younger than Bob.

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    2. Yes, I have thought about that. Knowledge is always a good thing. And shared experiences seem to help more than just the plain facts. You are doing so many of us a real service. I'm 12 years younger. The irritating thing about that is we look the same age!

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  10. There are so many things we have to account for as we age and are on a variety of medicines. It almost takes a degree in pharmacology and nutrition. You are smart to pick the brains of those who all ready have those degrees.

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    1. I spend far more time than I like dealing with medications and nutrition. I don't know how some of the people I see around medical offices do it.

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