How long can an older person last without food?

[523206720]

My grandma was recently placed in the hospital and she HATES the hospital food and refuses to eat unless we force feed her and even then she will only eat a tiny bit of food. My dad says they might not discharge her for a while cause this is the second time in 8 days that she was placed in the hospital and the hospital is concerned with thier reputation but I know if they return her to the old folks home she will eat more because the old folks home that she goes to serves chinese food which she has been eating all her life - the hospital food serves American / Canadian food so she is not used to the food and refuses to eat it most of the time.

[Hans222]

That must be really uncomfortable for her, it's already not nice to be in hospital and if you need to eat food that you're not at all used to I can imagine she refuses it.
Well, basically a healthy person can do without food for weeks. Probably a month or so. And without water for a day or three.
But depending on the condition of your grandma she may beed food earlier.
Perhaps talk to the hospital staff and explain them it's not the quality of their food but the fact she's used to Chinese food that stops her from eating. Maybe they'll offer the possibility to bring in food.

[NYkid27]

Why not just bring her food? I've been in the hospital many times and my family always brings me food because I also hate hospital food

[Leeda]

It is really important for her to eat what she is used to eat. My mum was in hospital and they were giving her meat, sauces with wheat and lotta food that she couldn't consume cuz she was used to raw and vegan food. It caused huge problems with her kidneys. people in hospital don't have enough time and options to take care of their patients eating habits, so it is good if the family can do it

[Destiny_Jackson]

I don't know... but I LOVE FOOD, so me as a older person I wouldn't last longer than 2 hours with no food LOL :D #teamhungry

[Iron_Man]

You can bring in food that you yourself have cooked

[Iron_Man]

She also can be hooked up to an IV with Vit in it and she won't have to eat

[KDA20]

Can you not bring food in for her?

[apple24]

welll thats awful not to long...

[Anonymous]

she should not go more than a few days!

[Klaatu51]

guess a week tops :|