I'm not sure of the nursing home protocols, but if they have more than one physician visiting patients, you might also opt for changing the physician that sees him.

My father (93 yrs. old), became rather sick quite suddenly...sleeping all the time, wouldn't eat, listless. We finally convinced him to see a different physician than the one he had been seeing for years.

The new doctor immediately took him off six of his medications, leaving him with only taking two. Within 3-4 days, he was back to his old self, eating good, and driving down to the local pool hall once or twice a week.

Grant you, the doctor put him back on one additional med, but three medications are far easier for him to handle and keep track of than eight!

Another thing one of my siblings has been doing since she lives closest to him, is when she makes dinner, she always makes sure she has enough to make him a plate and she will take it over to him and visit with him while he eats. This almost guarantees that he's getting proper nutrition and a good meal. Surely the nursing home couldn't object if from time to time a loving family member opted to do the same thing by bringing in one of his favorite meals. This way he/she not only gets something they like, but also gets someone to dine with them.