Post by tryhather on Jan 18, 2018 5:09:26 GMT -5
How do I manage their eating and nutrition needs?
If someone has dementia, their eating and drinking habits should be carefully monitored no matter if they live in their own home or in an aged care home. This is because people with dementia may forget to eat and drink, and they may also find it difficult to chew and swallow. Here are a few tips to help you manage their eating and nutrition needs:
ask their doctor to check that there isn't a treatable cause of appetite loss, such as acute illness, depression or denture pain
offer snacks and meals regularly, perhaps trying 5-6 small meals a day
try an alarm or phone call to remind them about mealtimes
only serve one course at a time
serve foods that are familiar to them
avoid using plates with patterns
demonstrate chewing if this seems to be the problem, and eat with the person so that they can copy you
if they're having difficulty with cutlery, perhaps serve them finger foods instead
consider nutrition supplements, particularly in later stages of dementia when people tend to lose a lot of weight. Ask a dietitian or doctor about what supplements might be helpful
offer drinks regularly. This is particularly important in hot weather
encourage and find ways for them to participate in regular physical exercise.
If someone has dementia, their eating and drinking habits should be carefully monitored no matter if they live in their own home or in an aged care home. This is because people with dementia may forget to eat and drink, and they may also find it difficult to chew and swallow. Here are a few tips to help you manage their eating and nutrition needs:
ask their doctor to check that there isn't a treatable cause of appetite loss, such as acute illness, depression or denture pain
offer snacks and meals regularly, perhaps trying 5-6 small meals a day
try an alarm or phone call to remind them about mealtimes
only serve one course at a time
serve foods that are familiar to them
avoid using plates with patterns
demonstrate chewing if this seems to be the problem, and eat with the person so that they can copy you
if they're having difficulty with cutlery, perhaps serve them finger foods instead
consider nutrition supplements, particularly in later stages of dementia when people tend to lose a lot of weight. Ask a dietitian or doctor about what supplements might be helpful
offer drinks regularly. This is particularly important in hot weather
encourage and find ways for them to participate in regular physical exercise.
