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Nutrition
for Hospice Patients
When a person has a serious illness, poor or no appetite is normal. He or she may eat much less than normal or not at all. This can be caused by a number of things such as difficulty swallowing, nausea, vomiting, altered sense of taste or smell, feeling full, tumor growth, depression, pain, or impending death. There may be no known cause.
It is important that patients and their families or caregivers not feel guilty about this process.
Here are some tips for supporting the patient during this time:
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Allow the patient to eat as much or as little as he or she wants to eat. Gentle encouragement to eat is good, but do not force the patient to eat. This could cause unnecessary suffering.
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Don't prepare large meals for this may be overwhelming to the patient and cause a sense of failure when large portions are left. Give small frequent meals of the patient's favorite foods.
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Give foods high in calories and easy to eat such as pudding, custard, jello, ice cream, yogurt, milkshakes, eggnog, etc. Include high-protein supplements such as Ensure, Isocal, etc.
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Avoid greasy foods and rich sauces. Avoid food with a lot of spice or seasoning.
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Avoid favorite foods when nauseated. Avoid overly sweet and dry salty foods. Try clear, cool beverages, such as Ginger Ale.
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Serve food cold or at room temperature to decrease its smell and taste.
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When diarrhea is experienced, serve bland foods such as toast, rice, bananas, etc. Avoid seeds, nuts, raw fruits and vegetables. To alleviate cramps, avoid gas forming foods such as dried peas and beans and carbonated beverages
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Set an attractive table or tray.
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Serve beverages between meals instead of with meals (liquids at mealtime can lead to early fullness).
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Encourage light activity one hour before meals.
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Provide good mouth care.
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Remember that the patient may ask for something and then not eat it. Patients may become nauseated by smells at times. Try not to show disappointment so that the patient will not feel guilty.
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Back to Clinical Resources
- 3HC -
2402 Wayne Memorial Drive
Goldsboro, NC 27534
919-735-1387
info@3hc.org
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