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Week of May 11 - May 17, 2008
Most people with early and
mid-stage dementia need not
eat a special diet, unless they have dietary restrictions
because of hypertension,
diabetes, or other reasons. It is
best to encourage them to eat
a variety of foods that are rich
in vitamins, minerals, protein,
other nutrients, and fiber, and
to consume adequate calories. Here are 15 tips for making mealtimes easier and more enjoyable.
- Minimize distractions during mealtimes. For example, turn off the
television or radio, and eliminate unneeded items from the table.
- Offer appealing foods that have familiar flavors, varied textures, and
different colors, and give the person opportunities to make choices.
- Make nutritious finger foods and nutrient-rich homemade shakes or
shake products (unless the person is lactose intolerant) available
throughout the day.
- In the earlier stages of dementia, be aware of the possibility of overeating.
If this occurs, provide a balanced diet, limit snacks, and offer
engaging activities as alternatives to eating.
- View mealtimes as opportunities for social interaction and success for
yourself and the person with dementia. A warm and happy tone of
voice can set the mood.
- Try to make mealtimes calm, comfortable, and reassuring. Be patient,
avoid rushing through meals, and give the person enough time to
finish the meal.
- Be sensitive to possible frustration, confusion, and anxiety during
mealtimes and look for ways to reduce these feelings.
- Maintain familiar routines and rituals, but be flexible and adapt to the
person’s changing needs.
- If the person is on a reduced-sodium or sugar-restricted diet because
of hypertension, diabetes, or another medical condition, keep foods
with high salt or sugar content out of reach or in a locked cabinet.
- Help the person drink plenty of fluids throughout the day—dehydration
can lead to problems such as increased constipation, confusion,
and dizziness.
- Use adaptive eating tools as needed. Talk with an occupational
therapist about which tools might be helpful, as well as other strategies
to make eating and mealtime routines more successful.
- Identify and work to resolve issues such as depression, forgetting to
wear glasses or hearing aids, wearing poorly fitting dentures, and use
of appetite-suppressing medications, which may impair the person’s
ability or desire to eat.
- Maintain routine dental checkups and daily oral health care.
- Be alert to and address potential safety issues, such as the person
forgetting to turn off the stove after cooking and the increased risk of
choking because of chewing and swallowing problems that may
arise as the disease progresses.
- And finally: Remember to take care of yourself to reduce the stress of
caring for others. Whenever you have questions or worries, get help
from your health care provider, friends, and family.
MORE INFORMATION:
Sources of reliable information
about good nutrition include:
Age Pages, Good Nutrition:
It’s a Way of Life, provided by the the National Institute on Aging.
Age Pages, Dietary
Supplements: More Is Not Always Better, provided by the the National Institute on Aging.
Eating Well As We Age,
available from the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration.
How to
Understand and Use the
Nutrition Facts Label from the FDA.
Finding Your Way to a
Healthier You, available from
the U.S. Department of
Agriculture and U.S.
Department of Health and
Human Services.
SOURCES:
National Institute on Aging
ARTICLE BY:
Edited by Peter Berger, Alzheimer's Weekly
Reviewed for medical accuracy by
Dr. Boaz Ancselovic, MD, Geriatrician, Alzheimer's Weekly
COPYRIGHT:
Copyright © 2008. Alzheimer's Weekly LLC.
All rights reserved.
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