Help with eating issues / feeding
Question from Alzheimer’s Care Partner Community: How to help with feeding?
We know that helping your loved one eat and drink is crucial for their physical health, mood, and overall quality of life. It can prevent complications, make sure they get the right nutrients, and even slow down the progression of the disease, which can improve their overall health. But feeding can also be a real challenge and source of ongoing frustration for you as their caregiver. It's important to find ways that work for you and your family while maintaining your loved one's dignity and independence. So, here are some tips to assist you in making mealtimes easier:
Create a comfortable and familiar environment:
Choose a quiet and well-lit area for meals.
Use familiar utensils and dishes to reduce confusion.
Minimize distractions during meals, such as turning off the TV or radio.
Ensure the seating is comfortable and supportive.
Maintain a routine:
Establish regular meal and snack times to help your loved one anticipate when to eat.
Offer simple, familiar foods that they enjoy.
Monitor their diet:
Ensure the food is appropriate for their dietary restrictions and preferences.
Consult with a healthcare professional or dietitian if needed.
Be patient and calm:
Avoid rushing or pressuring them to eat.
Maintain a calm and positive attitude during meal times.
Provide assistance:
Offer assistance as needed, such as cutting food into smaller pieces, buttering bread, or pouring drinks.
Encourage them to eat independently when possible.
Use visual and verbal cues:
Demonstrate how to use utensils and encourage them to mimic your actions.
Point to the food on their plate to help them focus.
Offer simple instructions and reminders, such as "Here's your fork" or "Take a bite now."
Ask open-ended questions to encourage them to eat, like "Would you like some more of this?"
Finger foods and adaptive utensils:
Consider serving finger foods that are easy to handle.
Use adaptive utensils designed for people with cognitive impairments, such as utensils with larger handles or specialized grips.
Ensure safety:
Be vigilant for signs of choking, such as coughing or struggling to swallow. If choking occurs, follow appropriate first aid procedures.
Be cautious with hot foods and drinks to prevent burns.
Promote hydration:
Encourage regular fluid intake to prevent dehydration, but monitor it to avoid overhydration.
Offer drinks in cups with lids or straws to reduce spillage.
Respect their choices:
Recognize that they may not want to eat at times or may have food preferences that change.
Be understanding and flexible with their choices.
Document and communicate:
Keep a food diary to track their eating habits and share this information with healthcare professionals to ensure they are getting proper nutrition.
Documenting can also help you identify trends to identify and solve problems — it’s otherwise quite difficult to notice changes over time
Remember that patience, understanding, and flexibility are key when assisting a loved one with dementia with feeding - it is so hard to do this every day, but it will help both you and your loved one. Every person with dementia is unique, so it's essential to tailor your approach to their specific needs and preferences. Please remember to consult with a healthcare provider or a speech therapist if your loved one experiences swallowing difficulties or severe eating problems as there are tests they can do to determine an appropriate course of action.
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