Getting nutrients into DF

[MayorGundersonsDogRufus]

My DF has Parkinson's and a number of other health issues. The most acute at the moment is that he has been suffering from fecal impaction. This has been treated twice at the hospital but he knock-on issue is that he is struggling to consume solid food, is feeling sick all the time, weight is dropping off him and he is very weak.

While we follow-up treatment options, I want to get some nutrients into him and want to make him a daily smoothie.

Can anyone recommend what might be the best ingredients and nutrient-dense powders to help get the maximum nutrients into him for the minimum digestive stress?

Thank you in advance.

Sounds so worrying and upsetting for everyone. Can you speak to a dietitian? I’m thinking complan or Huel type thing for complete food? poor man, I hope things improve for you all xx

We used to supplement poor diets with Ensure in the nursing home where I worked - you can get drinks and yogurt type pots.

I'd talk to his GP/Consultant though first ...... this could just be disease progression rather than lack of appetite. It's a hard scale to balance.

Thank you. We are talking to the GP and various other healthcare providers but there's a very specific issue right now that he's just not getting enough nutrients into him and can't eat more than a few bites of solid food. I will check out Ensure, thank you.

Complan or meritine are your best bet. These are much more palatable than prescribable products and have more vitamins and minerals in 2 sachets than the prescribed supplements have. Consider also milk puddings with extra cream/jam added in them, you could add some fruit for extra fibre, full fat yoghurts, ice creams. Try to avoid foods that are bulky but have low calories eg vegetable soup choose cream based and add extra cream/grated cheese into them.

Thank you. He's struggling with things that are milky or creamy.

Get a community dietician referral....I was prescribed protein powder sachets that I could mix in any food....ensures ....and other food supplements....they were all on repeat prescription so delivered to home by the pharmacy

Keep on top of the constipation (I’m sure he/you will be trying/know already but also can decreases appetite and can affect absorption of Parkinson’s medication).

What he likes most is best. Something he can drink after he has eaten and eating between meals and often. Food handy that he can pick at/snack in.

If he is nauseous, eat food at room temperature as it will smell less than hot food.

My dad who has advanced Alzheimer’s is given Altraplen twice a day at his care home.

It was prescribed via a the dietician and is a flavoured, concentrated protein milkshake: 300 calories in a small bottle. Guessing it tastes okay because he doesn’t spit it out like he does most things.

Thank you all very much. He successfully kept down a Complan shake today so that's something. And then he decided he wanted some corned beef. Yes, processed meat - the perfect thing for constipation! I wasn't there to stop him unfortunately!

I wouldn't worry about the corned beef, it's still food. And shows that he has an appetite, which is positive.

Thank you all very much. He successfully kept down a Complan shake today so that's something

That's so positive. How has today been?

Just wondering if he's had a blood test done yet? If he's been losing weight it could be because of the impaction and loss of appetite but I think a blood test would be useful.

He's much brighter today, thank you, and ate his first actual meal in about three weeks. Yes, he's had blood tests and is waiting for a date for an endoscopy. I still need to nag him to eat fruit and drink water!

That sounds great. Is he drinking enough? If not, it might be worth trying him with a Jellydrop or two

You can also get a thickener to add to water/juice so it can be spoon fed..... we used this a lot especially in those who were at risk of choking. It can be used for thickening home made soups too, which are a great source of liquid and nutrition.

What did he like to eat before? Beef consommé or vegetable juices are easy to sip on and squeeze in extra in between meals.

Our local Health Food Shop sell bones from grass fed cattle for making broth with. Very good for building up people who're not eating much.

Love the look of Jellydrops!

Love the look of Jellydrops

I know! I quite fancy some myself

Just wanted to say if you are worried about him getting enough vitamins/ iron, there are vitamin sprays you can get.

Much easier than getting him to swallow tablets. They sell them in Boots, the dose is just one or two sprays per day, and they are usually flavoured.

I was about to suggest Complan