Palliative Care

Eating and drinking has a big part to play in our quality of life. How we manage with eating on a daily basis can have an effect on our overall wellness. When we struggle with eating and drinking it may cause feelings of upset and disappointment which can have an impact on confidence and self-esteem.

Conflict around eating is common where loved ones are trying to encourage or persuade the individual to eat. There are many reasons why eating may be challenging for the individual, these include:

·       Fatigue

·       Anxiety and depression

·       Nausea and vomiting

·       Pain

·       Taste changes

·       Bowel changes

·       Lack or loss of appetite (anorexia)

It is important to acknowledge the difficulties experienced from both sides. Discussing and thinking about the following can be beneficial and help ease any tension around eating for the individual and loved ones:

·       Food preferences

·       Providing gentle encouragement with eating without excessive persistence

·       Acceptance of whatever is eaten

·       Involving the individual at meal times and around food choices

·       Adapting the meal times to suit the individual

·       Opting for smaller portions as larger portions can be off-putting

·       Eating little and often

·       Eating in the company of others

·       Avoiding large volumes of fluid at meal times as this may reduce food intake

·       Batch cooking and freezing the additional portions

·       Getting some fresh air which may help stimulate appetite

·       Keep a well-stocked store cupboard with non-perishable items

·       Including nourishing drinks

·       Energy conservation- it is okay to use ready meals and meal delivery services when preparation and cooking is difficult

As people approach the end of their life the bodily functions will start to slow down, including digestion of food which may cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting bloating and diarrhoea. Encouraging someone to eat more than they feel able to at this stage can make these symptoms worse and cause additional discomfort. It is normal in the final weeks to days of life that the person will only tolerate spoonfuls or sips of food and fluids or may stop eating and drinking altogether.

Mouth care is an important part of both palliative and end of life care. It helps improve comfort and overall quality of life. Examples of mouth care include: brushing teeth, tongue and dentures, offering mouth rinses, using damp gauze swabs and applying lip balm.

It is important to note that weight loss at this stage is normal and unavoidable. Weight loss can be due to the metabolic changes from the tumour which cannot be reversed therefore monitoring of weight should not be a focus or priority.

All of the above can help improve patient comfort, reduce symptom burden, anxiety and optimise quality of life.

For further information on the above please click on the following links:

What Other Organisations Can Help Me

Appetite Loss

Breathlessness

Feeling Full