My dad is 72 and was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s a few years ago but the last four months have been incredibly difficult. He refuses to eat (says everything tastes terrible), sporadically takes his meds and has become very hostile and mean. In this time he has lost almost 100 pounds (6’1 going from 300 to 200 pounds). We can only get him to drink ensures. 1-3 a day and that’s a fight. How long can this last?
My MIL lived on about the same calories as 2 Boosts per day and she lived a YEAR like that. eventually, she did starve herself to death, that was the actual cause of her death. But it was slow and grueling.
The kids were attending her. They never once forced or even encouraged her to eat. They did not attempt or even talk about a feeding tube. She was tired and angry and wanted to die. It just took a really long time.
However, everyone is different.
Don't push and don't fight. 72 is young, but Alzheimers is horrible. I just lost a 68 yo friend to it.
One of the ladies in my caregiver support groups mom had Alzheimer's and lived the last 5 years of her life eating only ice cream and cashews, and lived to be 102.
That's what I want to eat for the last 5 years of my life too.
But if you're concerned you should talk to your dads doctor and even to hospice to see if he may qualify for their services.
But seriously I seem to recall some study I read about how Europeans survived on little food during 2nd WW and appeared to be fairly healthy decades after.
Maybe restricted meat intake and other high calories foods is not contributing so much to quick demise.
There are some "meal replacement" or "meal supplements" that have more protein you could try them if what he is drinking is the "normal" Ensure.
If he is not expending a lot of energy he does not need the number of calories that he would have to have if he were active.
Is he drinking any other fluids? Water? Juice? Coffee?
If his urine is a dark color that usually indicates dehydration (other than the first in the morning)
What medications is he on? Some effect taste.
And this may be a dumb question but have you tried other foods...ice cream, pudding, at this point any calorie is welcome, don't worry about a "balanced diet"
That said the weight loss is an indication that he may qualify for Hospice.
If nothing works, a hospice evaluation is in order. But I'll bet you he goes for the sweet tasting foods and smoothies you can add yoghurt and protein powder to, along with fresh fruit. Try it.
Best of luck to you.