Providing good nutrition can pose a challenge when your loved one has Alzheimer’s or dementia. Even when you prepare appealing, nutritious meals, you may find it difficult to entice your loved one to eat enough food — or the right foods.
As cognitive function declines, appetite often diminishes as well. A person with dementia may become overwhelmed with food choices, forget to eat, or have difficulty using utensils. He or she may not recognize the food on the plate. Other factors – a new medication or a lack of exercise — can also contribute to the problem.
But a few simple changes can encourage a person with Alzheimer’s to eat more, according to Jose Fernandez, Regional Director of Culinary Operations for Autumn Leaves. At Autumn Leaves, culinary staff may substitute bowtie pasta for spaghetti, for example, because residents can eat the bowties more easily. Meats are prepared with sauces or gravy, making them easier to swallow.
Even the serving dishes can make a difference. At Autumn Leaves, meals are served on light-colored serving plates, as people with dementia may perceive a dark-colored plate as a “hole.” For those who need pureed foods, segmented plates, rather than bowls, are often easier to maneuver.
“Just a slight adjustment can sometimes make a big difference in a resident’s appetite,” Fernandez said.
If you’re struggling to make sure your loved one eats well, try offering a healthy variety of foods, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy and lean protein. Fernandez notes that fresh vegetables and fruits that are rich in anti-oxidants and other nutrients that can promote brain function.
Make sure your loved one is hydrated. Offer cups of water or other liquids throughout the day, as well as foods that are high in water content, like fruit, soups, milkshakes and smoothies. If your loved one tends to wander during mealtime, offer healthy, easy-to-eat finger foods, like chunks of fruit or small sandwiches.
Finally, if you notice that your loved one is losing weight, be sure to discuss this with a doctor. In some cases, the doctor may prescribe supplements to add calories between meals.
For more helpful information on this topic, visit the Alzheimer’s Association’s resource center on food, eating, and Alzheimer’s.
