What a difference a bent fork can’t make! The things we discover when it becomes necessary ... I love these new utensils!!!
Now, if I can just get Momma to stop taking such massive bites! I have to remind her to chew her food, and slow down ... she will take huge bites of food, and then continue to put food in her mouth right away with chewing and swallowing the other portion.
The other side of this story ... my brothers. They look at me like I am being bossy — as if to say, “she’s not a child Kim, stop telling her how to eat” ... I love them, but .... well, you know. ❤️
Written by
bazooka111
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Oh gosh, Kim, the brain of your mom is changing and is beginning to NO longer be aware of what is unsafe. It is HORRIBLE to be a nag (consistently repeating the same message), and I wonder if our PSP loved one hears us.
My son was prone to Aspiration pneumonia. Looking back (way before he "got" PSP) he had a few severe bronchitis attacks. Anyway, the Kaiser pulmonologist (sp?), after his first bout of AP, cautioned both of us on the need for Jeff to slow down, chew thoroughly, swallow all in his mouth BEFORE putting in the next bite. THE MESSAGE, he needed to do this so that it would not go down his lung. I would sit with Jeff and remind him to slow down, so would his paid caretaker, but to no avail. My son was very self-disciplined, that's how he achieved all that he did, but he would only slow down for a bite or two. Perhaps it is a cop-out on my part, but I SINCERELY, believe this forgetfulness, this impulsiveness, this disregard, is all part of the disease.
Just as it is difficult to hear your brothers with their message, I am pretty sure (just not completely sure) that your brothers find it difficult for them to see you NOT letting your mom eat in peace.
There are PSP loved one's who have never had aspiration pneumonia. I hope your mom's eating fast will NOT affect her journey with PSP. SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO LEAVE THINGS IN GOD'S HANDS.
We do our VERY best.............being a caretaker has its good side, but also it's NEGATIVE SIDE...it does things to our psyche and to our physical health. For me, keeping a few notes of each day with Jeff was of tremendous help. It helped me to understand all he endured.
We have dessert forks and spoons that I bent into shape, the smaller size reduced the amount food. It is great that you are keeping things as normal as possible.
Crossing fingers and toes and hoping this to shall pass 🙏🏻
Larry use to shovel his food in with portions that would choke a horse. Last summer I had to take on feeding him as he could no longer get the food to his mouth without dropping it. I have to remember not to over do it myself when feeding him. Make sure his mouth is empty before he gets anymore.
I figured out that if you take a stained shirt and sprinkle some baking soda on it and then pour vinegar on top, making fun bubbles. Let it sit for a bit then throw it in with the rest of the wash and the stains are poof, no more. Yes, we’ve had countless spills but hubby is still feeding himself at the moment. He gets frustrated when he spills but I remind him of how lucky he is that he can still move the fork around.
This did make me smile. I too have been miss bossy when i first started caring. i couldn't believe my dainty little mum shovelling great portions into her mouth. I didnt know she had CBD then. Once diagnosed I understood it a little more. Sadly she can no longer use her hands to coordinate cutlery and I have to feed her.
She can hold her feeder cup and manages herself using a straw. Does she keep on drinking even though she is coughing ? Yes. Do I ignore? No. I say 'for goodness sake mum stop!' It works.☺
Long may your mom use these new utensils anything to make life easier for her
I have the same problem with my husband. It is “impulsive” behavior on their part, a symptom of PSP. I gently encourage him to take small bites, and to put his fork/spoon down until he has finished chewing and swallowing. Sometimes I just have to look at him, and he immediately puts his fork/spoon down.
I love your pictures. I am afraid cramming food into the mouth like a hamster is part of the course. I just used to sit with John at mealtimes and keep a check on him. Now he is on puréed food, cannot feed himself and we just use a teaspoon but he does enjoy his food. Keep doing all your trips out you are doing a fantastic job xx
Like all the other posts we are in a similar position. I now feed W because he too was finding it difficult to get the spoon up to his mouth and putting more food in before he'd finished the previous mouthful, result - choking. Thankfully he asked me to feed him, so it was his decision not mine. xx
Hi Bazooka111 it’s not nice is it the way they cram the food in before they have finished isn’t it when you’re out it’s not enjoyable is it having to keep on I don’t k is what the answer is to this one although I do know it’s part of PSP
One time I was at a work dinner I took Ken it was a presentation evening beautiful restaurant the whole bit of course he ordered steak 🥩 well he decided he wasn’t going to eat the fatty bit so he took it out of his mouth and put it back on his plate of course we were on a round table so everyone could see
I can laugh now well at least he didn’t choke hey !
When Ger was assessed for swallowing issues the second time, it was suggested that this behaviour may be due to the fact that the first swallow was so difficult that he just wanted to get more food in while the muscles were working.
He nodded his agreement to that.
Your mother is very lucky to have you. I suspect her life expectancy would be considerably shorter if your brothers were in your position. Besides, I can tell by your posts that you caution your Mom with love.
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