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Ask your doctor about thickeners you can add to water to make it much easier to swallow. In fact, many Alzheimer's patients enjoy the closeness of mealtime, and look forward to eating and talking or just being around their caregiver or loved one.Įven with this assistance, however, she may begin to have trouble swallowing. At that point, she may not mind being fed. Over time her brain may no longer send her the signals necessary to pick up and hold a spoon. In the later stages of Alzheimer's, you or a caregiver will probably need to feed your loved one. If a person doesn't seem to be eating enough or refuses to eat a variety of foods, ask a doctor about nutritional supplements. If a person has dentures, check to make sure they fit correctly.ĭon't serve food or drinks that are too hot. Don't be too rigid, though: As geriatricians point out, you may need to add a little of a favorite beverage such as coffee or gin sometimes to get your loved one to eat anything, so it's highly individual. (One cup of coffee, one cup of tea, or one can of caffeinated soda each day is okay.) Alzheimer's can cloud the sense of thirst as well as hunger. Make sure she drinks plenty of nonalcoholic, noncaffeinated liquids.
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If the problem persists, have her examined by a doctor. If she has trouble swallowing, serve soft foods or cut food into small pieces. Here are some more tips for helping her get the nourishment she needs: If these problems arise, you'll have to keep such objects out of sight.Īs long as the person with Alzheimer's is still eating, mealtime will continue to pose new challenges. Other patients have been known to eat sponges, potting soil, and raw potatoes. In her book When Alzheimer's Hits Home, Jo Danna describes a breakfast whipped up by her mother: A bowl of water mixed with instant coffee, two packets of Chinese mustard, and a glob of petroleum jelly. Even as the messes grow, it's important to let her feed herself as much as possible.Īs the disease progresses, people with Alzheimer's may start eating inappropriate things. Consider getting plates with suction cups and no-spill glasses. Instead of insisting on neatness, give her an apron and put a plastic table cloth on the table. Try serving finger foods, and forget about avoiding spills. You'll need to make extra adjustments when her coordination fades. To help her stay focused on the meal, turn off the television and keep conversation to a minimum. You may even need to serve each food separately. Try serving foods that the person has always liked, and don't put too many different items on the plate at once. When preparing and serving food, remember that people with Alzheimer's do best when making simple choices in a calm environment. If she wants to eat right after a meal, put out a plate of small snacks such as cheese cubes or a sliced banana. For this reason, it's very important to set up a regular meal time and stick to it. A person can literally forget to be hungry, or, alternatively, she may forget eating lunch 15 minutes ago and may want to have the meal again. Your first and foremost challenge will be overcoming the tricks Alzheimer's plays with appetite. When a person with dementia starts to lose weight, it's a sign that he or she is not coping well with the disease. Families should weigh their loved ones regularly, and doctors should do likewise. Weight loss is one of the primary symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. As the disease progresses, it will take an ever-growing supply of compassion and ingenuity to keep her well fed. But your loved one needs more than just a cook. Proper nutrition is more important than ever, and many Alzheimer's patients can't get it on their own. When a person has trouble preparing food - or even recognizing it - it's time for a caregiver to step in. Proper nutrition more important than everĬonfusion and forgetfulness about food are particularly troubling aspects of Alzheimer's disease, and they often mark the end of a person's independence. When Alzheimer's disease begins taking over the brain, even the most basic instincts aren't safe. And one day, she no longer remembers to eat. She puts salt in her coffee rather than sugar. Then again, who hasn't confused tablespoons with teaspoons a few times? But as the months go on, she starts forgetting to turn off burners. You may feel unsettled when your mother botches her favorite recipe.