Eating right is important to stay healthy.  Not getting the right amount and type of nutrition can lead to behavior changes.  Following a healthy nutrition plan is important.

 

Mealtime can be made easier by:

 

• Eating in a calm and quiet place

• Avoiding things that take attention from the meal

• Serving food that is not too hot or too cold

• Don’t serve too many foods at one time

• Allowing for extra time to eat if needed

 

Prepare foods that are easy to chew and swallow.  If it appears that food and drinks are hard to swallow, ask your physician about a swallowing test by a speech-language pathologist (SLP) or an occupational therapist (OT).  They can make an eating and swallowing plan specific to your loved one.

• If swallowing is an issue, is a swallowing evaluation needed?
• Have I reduced distractions during mealtime?
• Have I planned meals that provide proper nutrition?
• Am I encouraging independence during mealtime, when appropriate?Can using a straw or eating with hands help?
• Can a SLP or OT help with our meal time issues?

Nutrition and Dementia

 

Common Questions

On-line Resources

Contacts

• Food, Eating and Dementia: http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-food-eating.asp#nutrition
• Swallow Studies and Dementia: https://www.capc.org/fast-facts/128-speech-pathologist-and-swallowing-studies/
• Tips for Dementia and Nutrition: https://patienteducation.osumc.edu/Documents/dementia-nutrition.pdf
• Research on Dementia and Nutrition: http://www.alz.co.uk/sites/default/files/pdfs/nutrition-and-dementia.pdf

• Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-272-3900
• Family Caregiver Alliance 1-800-445-8106