my daughter who had an ARBI last year has recently started binge eating in the night. She has short term memory loss and no idea what she has done. She is taking to bed early to avoid the carers so I think her sleep pattern is out of kilter but it is how to deal with the eating problem. Does anyone have any suggestions? Is a locked fridge the answer?
Many thanks
I think address the early bed first, even if it means getting her up after the carers have been. Maybe she won't wake up to binge eat then. Does she like things like hummus and carrot, cucumber, pepper, celery sticks? Place things like this to be seen when opening the fridge. Hide all sweet unhealthy stuff. Maybe put a pot of overnights oats in the fridge for her if she does get up. Or a ready made up plate of cheese, apple, celery sticks, all things that take a long time to chew. Rice cakes are good to extend eating time. Nothing soft, sweet or easy too eat. Just a thought as I find since my tbi I will eat until my plate is empty, not eat until I am full. I don't seem to have a "stop eating button" in my brain anymore. Even though I have no taste or sence of smell any more I still get sugar cravings which are only satisfied by chocolate. When I get them I try to eat apples, oranges, grapes, celery with mayo squirted in the groove, sometimes it works 😀 sometimes not 🙄. Anything is worth a try as I am sure you know.
Thank you for this…such really really good advice. Milly doesn’t live with us so I have to trust the carers but that is hard. She can get through 440g cheese, box of ham, whole loaf box of grapes….have stopped the carers buying her cheese and limiting fridge contents but think the things you suggested are very good ideas. Thank you so much
Sorry I assumed Milly was living with you, that makes things a lot harder for you. I obviously don't know the layout or size of Milly's accommodation, is there anywhere that the fridge or a fridge could be hidden from her and just a small one with everyday food left in her kitchen. It is so hard when you rely on carers to help, could the GP give her a tablet to stop her being hungry overnight or is it just a habit by now. Could it be that she is waking at night and not able to get back to sleep. I'm not suggesting sleeping tablets as that would affect her mobility getting up in the night, what about music playing in the background through the night. Firstly if the carers put Milly to bed at night can they do it later? Or give her porridge before bed? Sorry to waffle on but there are so many things popping into my head and maybe I am just adding to your dilemma. Maybe start with them making up a sandwich with some grapes , carrot sticks, celery sticks for Milly to eat and leaving it on the table or worktop so that she doesn't go to the fridge. Good luck and I hope you manage to sort something out.
Thank you, you have certainly given me ideas to try. It is mainly getting the carers to talk to each other and implement the same consistent plan. Milly needs repetition and routine and it is slow to be established. She is nearby in her own one bedroom flat and am considering sensors or cameras which sounds so intrusive but we could see if there is a pattern. At the moment I have told the carers to cut back on her shopping so the fridge is fairly empty but am going to do as you suggest with the veg and hummus etc. she has 39 hours support each week and we have her at least two days a week.
I hope you are well….i no longer feel quite at my wits end with some new ideas from you but I find it hard enough dealing with the brain injury itself and then the curveballs that show with different new habits! Thank you again.
It's hard and you will feel like your banging your head against a brick wall, but then something goes well and it'll give you a boost. Wishing you all the best and you know your not alone on here.
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