Loss of Appetite in Dementia Stages
Dementia changes how people eat over time. In the early stages, appetite shifts can be subtle and easy to overlook. As the disease moves forward, these changes grow stronger and lead to real health issues.
Early dementia often starts with small appetite drops. People might lose weight without trying, especially women. This happens because brain changes affect hunger signals and daily habits like cooking. They may forget to eat or skip meals while struggling with routines. Mood swings or depression can play a role too, making food less appealing. Irritability or pulling away from others often comes with less interest in eating.
In the middle stages, appetite loss gets more noticeable. Memory fades deeper, so someone might repeat questions about food or forget their own address while ignoring meals. They need help dressing or planning, and this spills over to eating. Sundowning, or confusion at night, adds anxiety that kills hunger. Swallowing starts to falter a bit, and weight keeps dropping. Families see restlessness or crying linked to low energy from not eating enough.
Late dementia brings the biggest challenges. Appetite vanishes almost completely. Swallowing turns hard, leading to choking or coughing at meals. Full help is needed for every bite, and infections or bed sores pop up from poor nutrition. People lose a lot of weight fast, and this signals the end stages. They respond less to food but still to touch or music.
Caregivers can help by offering small, frequent meals instead of big ones. Keep routines simple and familiar. Check for other issues like hearing loss or overwhelm that mimic disinterest in food. Doctors watch for these signs to guide support, like hospice when eating fails fully.
Sources
https://int.livhospital.com/cognitive-decline-symptoms-best-list/
https://hospitalnews.com/caregiver-sos-depression-in-dementia-patients-can-be-tackled/
https://www.alzinfo.org/articles/diagnosis/6-symptoms-of-depression-that-may-raise-your-alzheimers-risk/
https://kitesseniorcare.com/articles/understanding-dementia-stages-a-medical-guide-for-families/
https://vocal.media/families/painful-but-important-signs-death-is-near-in-dementia-s-last-stage
https://anvoihealth.com/hospice-for-dementia
https://platinumcarehc.com/appetite-decline-and-dementia/
