High Protein Diet For My Elderly Mum

[shivvy]

My mum developed very bad jaundice and was in hospital for a month though the medics couldnt work out what was causing it. After many scans and tests and scopes they finally decided that it might have been caused by her Alzheimer meds and maybe them reacting with antibiotics.
Anyhow my mum is very small and barely ate anything for the time that she was in hospital. She is back home now and her appetite is slowly improving however in her last week in hosp she was seen by a dietitian who recommended a high protein diet. She was discharged with lots of fortisip type drinks but should we still keep her on a high protein diet?
Google searches tend to talk about high protein diets for body builders which mean that they build muscle but lose fat. I think mum would benefit from all around build up so is a high protein diet the way to go?
Mum is 81, has Alzheimers but has no other medical conditions.

Thanks for any advice.

[Mamyalynne]

A balanced diet but rich with protein cannot do any harm - combine foods she loves and work from there.

ps. Uniform is no indicator of medical qualifications.

[shivvy]

Thanks mamyalynne. She isn't a big meat eater but does like chicken. Can you give me info or direct me to a reliable website to give me ideas about what she should be eating?
PS why do you say that Uniform is no indicator of medical qualifications?

[Mamyalynne]

I mean I am not a nurse, sorry if I was cryptic.

[shivvy]

I don't give two hoots if you aren't a qualified nurse - just as long as you give me info that is accurate and honest to the best of your ability.

[Mamyalynne]

Well in your situation I would include lean chicken and turkey, some oily fish and of course vegetables. Good old fashioned beef tea (made by slow simmering shin beef) is good too.
At this minute cannot lay hands on a suitable website but maybe the morning will bring more informed replies.

[tamborine]

This chart shows protein values; nb beans & pulses being high in protein.

http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/foods-highest-in-protein.php

[Sqad]

My advice now she is back home to go easy on the high protein as that may well put her possibly damaged live (jaundice) under strain.

A normal diet combined with the fortisip drinks should be the watchword until her next hospital appointment.

[anneasquith]

try to encourage small frequent meals that she enjoys,

[shivvy]

Thanks everybody. She is managing small frequent meals quite well so we will keep them well balanced and see how she goes.

[shivvy]

Hi AllenMattes.
Thank you for your reply, however you maybe didn't notice that this question is from nearly 5 years ago?!
My mum passed away last year but I'm very pleased to say that in her last weeks and months and nearly year, her diet was just about 100% sweet. She always had a sweet tooth and as the dementia developed, so did her taste for sweet. Her fridge was heaving with little tubs of custard and chocolate pots and smooth versions of puddings and chocolate bars of all descriptions!
She mightn't have known who we were or where she was for a long time - but she sure knew what she liked!!