I was wondering if any of the folks yall care for take food or beverages to bed with them, or get up and eat/drink something in the middle of the night?

My dad has been taking cans of soda with him to bed, until my mom tried to stop him (unsuccessfully). He's started to take food to bed as well, like potato chips, hunks of cheese, etc.

So - has anyone here had this problem? Any possible solutions?

thanx for your help

I passed along the info....dr. is having him take only half the dose he normally does so that helps. He does eat some fiber, he likes wheat chex in the morning so we try to encourage that.

Lynda I think if I remember correctly its 350mg Iron tabs they prescribe (its been a year) its also available OTC (if that is cheaper than the script for dad) but if this is becoming a problem with his bowel function the Doc can be called and will usually allow the smaller dosage after the initial month of the higher dose Iron. Tell mom to give him a call.

I did mention that to her about the slow release Iron. His Iron pills are prescription so that might make a difference.

I did ask her what the dr. said about the sweet stuff like soda and cookies, and she (her dr., a female) said he can have as much sugary stuff as he wants, but didn't say why. Perhaps it is because his dementia is severe and with his bleeding ulcer & other health issues (his lung capacity has been diminishing) his days are numbered, I honestly don't know. He has always fought eating right.

The one other thing that has changed in his eating habits beside the taking things to bed is that certain foods he once loved he now won't t eat, like mac & cheese, baked potatoes, etc. However mom says he loves to eat those large hunks of cheese like you can buy in the dairy section. I've suggested she either get food with fiber in it or give him fiber tablets but I'm not sure if she's doing that. Like I've said before, I can only do so much. I'll keep trying!

Lynda tell your Mom when she goes to the pharmacy to get the slow release Iron we had the same thing here, it was getting MIL constipated also. Its a little more expensive but its easier on them.

Moms Buddy, can you do me a favor and if you have a link with info on sugar and AD & other dementias, post here or send to me? I'm interested in finding out more about this. Thanx!

Oh BTW - when dad brought the cheese to bed with him mom was concerned that it would make him constipated, and since his iron pills already cause that, she didn't want him to become more that way.

well the thing to remember is my mom is the one with diabetes. Dad has been tested many times including back in December or January and they (dr.'s office) said he does not have diabetes. That kinda surprises me, because he's been drinking a lot of soda for several years now - he used to have at least 2 bottles (20 oz.) per day and now, he could consume a 2 liter bottle in one day if he got to one. The main thing that drives my mom nuts is that in the past when she had soda on hand, he'd bring an unopened one to bed and drink half of it but then leave it somewhere in the bedroom. He now has mostly sugar-free lemonade or other drinks and diet sodas. He's still allowed to have sugars like cookies and things. I will have to ask my mom about what the dr. said. I do know dad has low iron and has to take iron pills as well as his other meds. I'll let you know what I find out.

I am having problems understanding this one. Many folks like a snack or drink in the night... so long as there is not a huge mess, what's the big deal if they wanna take a drink or two or snack to get them through the night? If diabetes prevnts them from enjoying sugared drinks, unsweetened fruit juices are a good alternative.

I make sure Mom has something within her reach every night - water, a "cool" soft drink (she doesn't like cold soft drinks...go figger), a juice pak, etc. Other folks put a little refrigerator cube in their LO's room so they can enjoy their own private stash. It's also convenient for caregivers who walk miles to and from the kitchen daily.

BG, if you check out the research, there is a lot out there on how people with age and AD-related dementias crave sugar as fuel for their brains. Blood sugar levels should always be a consideration, especially in folks who have blood sugar problems, but for those who do not, there is nothing wrong with them having the sugar. If one has a prohibition to white sugar, there are many drinks which have little or no sugar (or "evil" high fructose corn syrup - which is NOT the same as fructose, a "good" sugar).

When dealing with older folks, I always try to remember that their days are numbered and many have terminal disease processes going on. Being terribly picky about every livin' thing they eat or do will only drive a caregiver (more) nuts and make an already failing person feel more controlled and dependent. I TRY to remember that folks like my mom had a LIFE before all this. They had peculiarities and preferences, did things that were not "healthy" (according to at least one "expert"), and had habits that were familiar and comforting to them - in fact, they did what they darned well pleased for many, many years!

My goal is not to be a health nazi - it is to help my mother die as comfortably, individually and happily as possible.

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Incidentally I found out much to my surprise, that dad's dr. says it's good for him to have sweets, that it helps with the dementia. (I forget just how it helps, but it helps.) Go figure!

Lynda Id really love to have you find out why this Doctor thinks giving your father, a Dementia Patient Processed Sugar and Chemicals is a good thing?
Unless he is just saying this to keep the peace for a moment now that I could see or he has low blood sugar levels, but good for the body and mind???
Processed sugars and the chemical makeup in soda raises BSL's (even if its diet soda) which leads to disorientation over periods of time when consumed regularly and since your dad is eating like he is, BSL's are probably higher than normal which would explain to me at least more outbursts/agitation that occur.
Now you have to remember if he eats things like breads cookies cake noodles white rice and the like (starches/processed foods) these all turn into sugars not to mention *bad sugar* since this is processed foods in the first place. Put a dementia patient side by side with one that eats "whole foods" and you see less agitation in them.

Thank you!!! That's an excellent idea BG, I never thought of that! And I know mom can get child safety locks quite cheaply, I've bought them for my kitchen cabinets at the dollar store.

The only reason she has soda in there now (this weekend) is for my brother & his family. They're arriving today for the weekend and once they're gone the soda will be too. Incidentally I found out much to my surprise, that dad's dr. says it's good for him to have sweets, that it helps with the dementia. (I forget just how it helps, but it helps.) Go figure!

Oh yeah we had that here Lynda. MIL would sneak down in the middle of the night solved that problem by putting everything in a pantry closet with a lock on it now the fridge is entirely different there are only child locks that can easily be opened so my only suggestion healthy foods only in the fridge thats what I did no sweets and DEFINITELY NO SODA. Thats a big no no in this house she just need to either stop buying them or keep them locked up and use a freezy cup when she wants one.