Yeah the illness card is an easy one to bring out. If she complains, the next time you go grocery shopping pick her up the sorts of foods that are good for if you're having trouble eating - bananas, rice, applesauce, toast. It's the BRAT diet.

So when she says she can't eat, tell her that you've picked her up the easiest to digest foods and that if she can't handle those then it's time to make an appointment with her doctor. You're showing caring but you're also not stopping your entire life for her.

When a behaviour doesn't get the same desired result anymore, most people are going to continue escalating their behaviour to try for the same result. She'll just keep on going. She really even might take it to the point of actually doing herself physical harm. And you know the response to that? If it's a clearly intentional one, then she will just have to go inpatient. If it's an "accident" and she wants you to care for her around the clock, then it's time to discuss retirement homes because if she needs round the clock care you cannot be expected to do that. Will she flip out? She sure will.