Anil Kumar Anil Kumar Asked 9 months ago

Does alzheimer's cause weight loss?

My father, who has Alzheimer's, has started losing a lot of weight recently, even though he eats his meals properly. Could his condition be causing this weight loss, or should we be looking for something else?

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7 answers

Anjali Sen Anjali Sen Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago
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Yes, weight loss is very common in Alzheimer's patients due to changes in their appetite and swallowing. Please consult their doctor for high-calorie meal plans.

Gurcharan Singh Gurcharan Singh Joined May 2026 5 months ago

Yes, in my experience with older family members, weight loss can happen because they simply forget to eat or find it difficult to chew. It is a very normal part of the disease progression. Reassuring them and serving soft, nutritious food in small portions helps a lot.

Neha Bhatia Neha Bhatia Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

It is so incredibly stressful to watch a loved one lose weight suddenly, and it makes me panic about their health constantly. Please know that this is a known issue in Alzheimer's patients. Stay in close touch with their doctor to ensure they are getting enough nutrition.

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Consult a dietary specialist

Ramesh Chandra Ramesh Chandra Joined Jan 2026 9 months ago

In the later stages of memory loss, the body's natural hunger signals change significantly. You can try giving them small, frequent meals of warm kheer, mashed bananas, or dal-rice with a little ghee to keep their energy up. But do keep their treating doctor informed.

Meera Nair Meera Nair Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

Caring for someone who is losing weight due to cognitive decline requires a lot of patience, much like managing a young child's diet. Making the food colorful and easy to pick up with hands can sometimes encourage them to eat more. Please discuss these behavioral changes with their physician.

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Rohan Deshmukh Rohan Deshmukh Joined May 2026 6 months ago

Dealing with a relative's memory loss and keeping track of their meals is literally a full-time job that leaves me exhausted. They definitely lose weight because their brain is constantly active or they miss meals. It is a tough ride, hang in there.

Vikram Malhotra Vikram Malhotra Joined Jul 2026 4 months ago

My grandfather has Alzheimer's and we noticed he lost a lot of weight because he would walk around constantly and forget he just had lunch. We had to start giving him small high-protein snacks throughout the day. It is definitely a common thing.

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