Eating frustration

[Karen52]

My husband has become very frustrated when trying to eat. It's not choking, etc.... it's the fact that he can't find a comfortable place to eat. Sometimes he stands at the table, sometimes he sits, but he's complaining that the fork/spoon is becoming too heavy to get to his mouth. Any suggestions? I hate to see him so frustrated and he's saying "no" to more and more meal suggestions. I appreciate your suggestions!

 

[Nikki J]

Is it one problem or two? Is he uncomfortable emotionally because of the arm weakness or truly somehow uncomfortable sitting? If the latter where does he sit normally and why can’t he eat there?

The heaviness of the eating utensils is of course common. Is it hold ing them? There are adaptive utensils with straps for people with weak hands. If it is the lifting to his mouth that is harder. Lighter utensils might work for a sort while. I assume he is already using his stronger arm even if it isn’t his dominant arm.

A lot of us with limb onset move to easier to eat options because eating is a lot of work. It is important to make sure he eats enough because some pals lose weight even though they can swallow because it is just too much work.

At some point he will need to be fed. There is an automatic feeder called Obi that is very expensive if he isn’t a veteran ( the va has paid) a loaner or possibly a used one on ebay moght be more affordable options. Of course you can also feed him yourself. It will be hard on both of you.

Sometimes a feeding tube comes into play if eating is too much work even when fed

 

[lgelb]

We used an oyster fork and baby spoon for self and assisted feeding, also a large bore bendy straw. You could build up a handle for either one. If you focus on textures that stay put better, e.g. puree instead of soup, rolls instead of cereal, etc. he may find it more comfortable. He may also want to space out eating more -- sit with some food for a while and eat some at a time -- because this can be an energy thing, too, to eat in the normal time frame.

Finger and hand food as Nikki says may work best.

 

[Karen52]

Thank you. I'm adjusting his menu and concentrating on cuttting everything into small pieces. I hadn't been thinking of all the energy being used while trying to do everything himself. Thank you both!