Eating and Alzheimer"s
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Updated June 08, 2015.
Helping your loved one with Alzheimer's disease to eat may be extremely rewarding. Not only should eating be a pleasurable experience for a person with Alzheimer's disease, it should also be an opportunity to reminisce, to enjoy each other's company, and to relish in your loved one's enjoyment of a good meal. People with late-stage Alzheimer's disease are at particular risk for malnutrition.
In assisted living facilities, it is often in the dining areas that tensions mount: Residents bicker, and they may get upset when a tablemate engages in socially inappropriate behaviors.
They may get overwhelmed by the noise, the trays that have too many individually wrapped items to cope with, and the waiting for the food. One resident taking another's food may trigger an outburst of aggression or agitation. These occasions are always good opportunities for everyone to brush up on their strategies for managing difficult behaviors in dementia.
It is also important avoid noise and distractions such as telephone calls, television, and competing conversations. Don't rush your loved one or force her to eat, and consider offering only one food at a time. You may consider serving several smaller meals throughout the day rather than three large meals.
There are many easy and fun ways to have your loved one participate in mealtimes. Not only will she feel more useful and valued, but it may rekindle pleasurable memories of their childhood, when they helped in the kitchen. Beating eggs, decorating cakes and cookies, washing fruits and vegetables, and kneading bread dough are just a few ideas.
Even just having your loved one hand you things as you prepare a meal may be helpful.
It's almost impossible to predict when a person with dementia will lose the ability to feed herself. Even in late-stage Alzheimer's, offering cues and encouragement can maintain this ability, and of course finger foods prevent the need for utensils. You can try guiding your loved one through the first bite if she's struggling, but be sure that everything is swallowed before offering the next bite or drink.
As with other aspects of dementia, communicating with your loved one at meals is especially important. Even though your loved one may have had a favorite food or meal for years, she may now prefer other foods. Because Alzheimer's can affect taste and smell, certain foods may not be as appetizing as they once were.
Updated June 08, 2015.
Helping your loved one with Alzheimer's disease to eat may be extremely rewarding. Not only should eating be a pleasurable experience for a person with Alzheimer's disease, it should also be an opportunity to reminisce, to enjoy each other's company, and to relish in your loved one's enjoyment of a good meal. People with late-stage Alzheimer's disease are at particular risk for malnutrition.
Keep Mealtime Calm and Comfortable
In assisted living facilities, it is often in the dining areas that tensions mount: Residents bicker, and they may get upset when a tablemate engages in socially inappropriate behaviors.
They may get overwhelmed by the noise, the trays that have too many individually wrapped items to cope with, and the waiting for the food. One resident taking another's food may trigger an outburst of aggression or agitation. These occasions are always good opportunities for everyone to brush up on their strategies for managing difficult behaviors in dementia.
It is also important avoid noise and distractions such as telephone calls, television, and competing conversations. Don't rush your loved one or force her to eat, and consider offering only one food at a time. You may consider serving several smaller meals throughout the day rather than three large meals.
Encourage Your Loved One to Help at Mealtime
There are many easy and fun ways to have your loved one participate in mealtimes. Not only will she feel more useful and valued, but it may rekindle pleasurable memories of their childhood, when they helped in the kitchen. Beating eggs, decorating cakes and cookies, washing fruits and vegetables, and kneading bread dough are just a few ideas.
Even just having your loved one hand you things as you prepare a meal may be helpful.
Encourage Your Loved One to Feed Herself
It's almost impossible to predict when a person with dementia will lose the ability to feed herself. Even in late-stage Alzheimer's, offering cues and encouragement can maintain this ability, and of course finger foods prevent the need for utensils. You can try guiding your loved one through the first bite if she's struggling, but be sure that everything is swallowed before offering the next bite or drink.
Be Alert for Signs of Changes in Food Preferences
As with other aspects of dementia, communicating with your loved one at meals is especially important. Even though your loved one may have had a favorite food or meal for years, she may now prefer other foods. Because Alzheimer's can affect taste and smell, certain foods may not be as appetizing as they once were.