Those little drinks for invalids

It used to upset me, in my mother’s care home, to see people (all with dementia) being badgered and pestered to eat when they clearly didn’t want to. All done with the best of intentions, I know, but to see them crying and whimpering and turning their heads away…

I vowed that I’d never allow it with my mother (already over 90) so thank goodness the situation never arose.

when my mum was end of life she liked pureed fruit like bananas and jelly was good as it is tasty and moist.
as said Ensure is good
Wiltshire Farm foods do small pureed meals
blessings to you both

I read about these in a magazine article a while back. I don't think they're available in the shops so you have to order online.

They are 95% water, sugar free, different flavours with added electrolytes and vitamins and are easy to eat.

www.jellydrops.com

Is there anything you know she really likes? I remember feeding a beloved aunt little bits of After Eight the day before she died!
But others are right, some people approaching the end don't feel like eating any more. But you could try different drinks.

I’m not able to add anything very useful to this discussion but it’s been an interesting read. I’m going to discuss my end of life care with my children again. They have all experienced a close relative dying and not wanting to eat.

These last couple of weeks I’ve not been well and discovered I was having cravings for satsumas or similar, then salty food both in small quantities. I’ve totally gone off dark chocolate my go to treat.

Small pots of fancied food seems to be a partial answer in both sweet and savoury. It seems like trial and error.

ExDancer, I think you are doing a great job in supporting your friend. It shows how much you value her and the friendship. Wishing you and your friend a peaceful time. With love xx

Indigo8

My brother is very poorly in hospital. He has no appetite. I did consider getting some Complan and taking that in to him. It would mean taking separate milk and trying to mix it. I went to Tesco today and found a complete meal replacement in the chiller cabinet. It is called “THIS IS FOOD READY TO DRINK COMPLETE MEAL” you can get Strawberry and Chocolate flavours. Took it to my brother this afternoon and he drank the whole carton with a straw. Going back tomorrow to get some more. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Another suggestion take a look at the high Protein range on offer at the moment in Lidl if you have one near , basically that's all the prescribed ones are. They may be more palatable.

ExDancer

Thank you for your recipes and suggestions.
However, does anyone actually know if there are any firms producing drinks that contain all the nutrients necessary for a balanced diet that really taste nice?
That was the question.

Aymes Actagain Juce

I have been prescribed them (for malnutrition), and they in fact taste quite nice.

They are nutritionally balanced and she might be able to get them on prescription.

I know this will sound callous but believe me it is kind. Just let her go, don't try and persuade her to eat if she doesn't want to.

Pain relief is more important at a time like this and you being relaxed company for your friend.

Talk to her, even if she shows no sign of being able to hear you.

It is heartbreaking to lose a friend like this and after she has gone try and focus on how she was and the good times you had together. Remember to look after yourself, you are clearly a very good friend.

ExDancer

Thank you for your recipes and suggestions.
However, does anyone actually know if there are any firms producing drinks that contain all the nutrients necessary for a balanced diet that really taste nice?
That was the question.

My mother’s care home used to give some residents Fortisip drinks, but from all I can gather they taste pretty grim, too.

I don’t know whether you can still get Complan* - it used to come in various flavours inc. the usual sickly strawberry, but an aunt of dh used to ask for it when she felt she ‘needed building up’ - not that she was exactly wasting away!

*IIRC you had to mix the powder with milk.

One of the signs that a body is shutting down is a loss of appetite, so I wouldn’t worry about nutrients, rather concentrate on small tastes that she will enjoy. Mind you, the notion for a particular taste can pass quickly, so might be an idea to keep supplies of possible things handy. My father kept tiny salmon sandwiches and cans of Ambrosia Creamed Rice for my mother.

My daughter aged about 12 was “sent” to the chemists by Grandma to buy Complain !

Complan is good because it can be mixed into pretty much anything.

I also used those tiny ‘shots’ of juice from the chiller aisles - ginger and something was a favourite.

Wishing you all well.

How about Complan. It comes in various flavors.

A big failure with my father.
Apart from calling them wallpaper paste -
they gave him chronic diarrhoea.I found little ramekins of treats far more successful . I'd cut up cheese, pineapple ,chocolate ,nuts -anything on his tray and he'd pick and was happy .

Here Ensure is sold in pharmacies. It is in cans. I bought the 6 packs

I don't know if you can buy Ensure in the UK. Here (Canada) my friend, when dying, really liked the chocolate Ensure served cold. It has all the nutrients. You say her mouth is sore. It's possible she has oral thrush. Easy treated if that's the case.

Don’t know if your friend has difficulty swallowing but if that is the case thickening a liquid makes it easier to swallow and less likely to splutter and choke
Others have mentioned various options so see if her preference is for warm or cold
There have been suggestions to add extra calories in the form of fats such as double cream If food is too rich it can cause indigestion and acid reflux.
Trial and error is the name of the game and I wouldn’t worry too much.about the extra calories Enjoyment should be a priority and not trying to pressurise her

When I was very ill last year, my dietitian told me to drink fortified milk (full fat milk with Marvel milk powder added) make milkshakes, Hot chocolate or any milky drink. I couldn’t take the prescription nutrition drinks but the fortified milk option is much better. I’m so sorry for your situation 💐

Maybe I have misunderstood but I suspect that she might not need a balanced diet as such.

One thing that I learned when my MIL and my Mum were dying was that pineapple juice helps with sore mouth and tongue. She can suck it slowly from a mouth swab sponge and it is very soothing.
My niece fed my mum some whippy icecream, and she seemed to enjoy that too.
My neighbour had jellies and yoghurts, although I felt that she was eating them to oblige others really.

I think it’s about her enjoying small amounts of tasty food now.

I'm so sorry to hear this, ExDancer. Food is something that can give so much pleasure that it is very sad when people are denied that sensory enjoyment. I remember reading John diamond's column when h pointed out that being married to Nigella Lawson and not being able to appreciate food was so cruel.

I don't really know what to suggest, other than puddings and ice cream - somehow pureed sweet things seem less horrible than savoury ones other than soup.

ExDancer

Thank you for your recipes and suggestions.
However, does anyone actually know if there are any firms producing drinks that contain all the nutrients necessary for a balanced diet that really taste nice?
That was the question.

My mum had those pots in her final stages. She hated them and I couldn't find anything really better in that line. I started to buy her little pots of jelly, custard and the like. Unless you've been specifically told (or I'm missing something), I really don't see that it matters if the meals are for a balanced diet and full of nutrients. Towards the end, my mother was craving cream cheese, cider and whipped cream with chocolate sauce so that's what I gave her.

If you Google the firm that makes the drinks they may have some suggestions on how to use them in recipes, also look at the Macmillan website. Does she have a Palliative care nurse? They may be able to help. I know our default is to feed and " you must eat" but does she want to? Protein enriched yoghurt they also do a yoghurt drink. But don't expect her to eat a load in one go it's just not possible. And I think you need to accept it. A teaspoon amount may be all she can cope with.

Thank you for your recipes and suggestions.
However, does anyone actually know if there are any firms producing drinks that contain all the nutrients necessary for a balanced diet that really taste nice?
That was the question.