Four Ways to Help Someone with Dementia to Eat Well

If you are looking after someone with Dementia you may find that he/she  is no longer interested in food or  forgets to eat regularly or drink enough fluids. . Many people with dementia experience poor appetite and this can greatly affect their health and well being.  Not eating properly can  result in weight loss, increased infections, greater confusion and a lack of energy.  To eat well and healthily the person with dementia should have  a wide range of nutritious food, enough vitamins and minerals, enough fibre, plenty of fluids and very importantly too,....choices which make eating an enjoyable experience.


If your loved one has dementia and is not eating well there are some things you can do to encourage him /her to find eating a more enjoyable experience:

1. Present food to stimulate the appetite
Remember you enjoy food with your eyes first.  Arrange the food so that it looks appealing.  A little salad as a garnish can transform a plate of simple sandwiches into a delicious meal.    Do not overload the plate because this can be overwhelming and off putting to a small apetite.  Keep portions small and manageable. If you are heating a microwave meal try child size portions available in most supermarkets - they may be easier to manage.  Also make sure foods are not served too hot as people with dementia sometimes lose the ability to judge temperature.

2. Make sure Meals are Taken  in a Calm Environment
Frequent small meals may be more appealing to someone with dementia. A calm and regular routine is also helpful.  Turn off all distractions such as the TV and let him/her take their time to look at the food on the plate and enjoy the meal.    Don't fuss about sticking to traditional meal sequences - will it really matter if the pudding is eaten before the main meal so long as they are both eaten?  Always let them eat at their own pace.

3. Make sure that there is a good Fluid Intake
Dehydration can lead to unirary tract infections, constipation, confusion and even eventually to strokes or heart attacks.  Keep a flask of tea or soft drinks handy and remind the person with dementia to drink through out the day.  Give a glass of  water or cup of tea in the hand and don't leave on a table because it's likely to be forgotten. The aim should be at least 8 cups of fluid every day.

3. Be Inventive in Meal Planning
Remember that tastes can change as dementia progresses.  Try offering sauces or seasonings such as chili to enhance the flavour of food  or unusual food combinations such as savoury and sweet  may also be more appealing. Sometimes finger foods may be more acceptable to someone with a poor apetitie and is restless  as they can pick up the food and take it with them to eat while they walk about.  Try  small cubes of cheese or little cocktail sausages which are easier to pick up and manage. Often someone with  dementia may find colourful foods more appealing too so see how many colourful foods you can present.


SureCare helps Older People and People with Dementia to live at home independently by providing practical support through HomeCare.  For more information on SureCare please go to: http://www.surecarewarks.co.uk/