HOW SHOULD DEMENTIA PATIENTS EAT?

Photo: Dilek Necioğlu Örken

Proper nutrition helps maintain a healthy and energetic body. In individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia, poor eating habits can worsen behavioral symptoms and lead to weight loss. Here are some dietary guidelines for dementia patients:

• A balanced diet should include a variety of food groups, including vegetables, fruits, legumes, low-fat dairy products, and protein-rich foods.
• What is harmful to the heart is also harmful to the brain. Therefore, solid fats and fatty meats should be minimized in meals.
• Refined sugars, often found in processed foods, should be avoided as much as possible. While refined sugar provides calories, it lacks essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fiber. However, in the later stages of Alzheimer’s, when appetite loss is a concern, adding sugar to foods may encourage eating.
• Salt intake should be reduced.

What to Do If a Dementia Patient Refuses to Eat?

Feeding a patient in the moderate to advanced stages of dementia with regular and nutritious meals can become challenging. Too many food choices may be overwhelming, and patients may forget they have eaten. They may not recognize the food on their plate, or due to impaired taste and smell, they may not enjoy the food. Conversely, they may eat spoiled food if not monitored. If they have dentures, weight loss may cause improper fitting, making chewing difficult, which they might not express. Additionally, newly prescribed medications can impact appetite, and reduced physical activity can disrupt eating patterns. The following adjustments may help:

• Meals should be eaten in a calm and relaxed environment. People with Alzheimer’s can be easily distracted. It is recommended to eat in silence, with minimal conversation about the food.
• The table should be free of unnecessary items to avoid confusion.
• Visual and spatial perception impairments can make it difficult to distinguish the plate from the table or food from the plate. Using contrasting colors for tablecloths and plates can help. Studies show that using red plates increases food consumption by 25% compared to white plates.
• Always check the temperature of the food before serving, as the patient may not be able to express discomfort if the food is too hot.
• Serve only one or two food items on the plate at a time.
• Be flexible if the patient suddenly develops strong food preferences or aversions.
• Encourage eating with family members, as shared meals can be helpful. Be patient, as eating may take longer than usual.
• Patients may forget that they have eaten and repeatedly ask when they will eat. In this case, offering small portions of food at intervals can help.
• As eating becomes more difficult, using utensils may also be challenging. Offering finger foods can be beneficial. Examples include raspberries, strawberries, bananas, grapes, almonds, and hazelnuts, as well as bite-sized vegetables, fish, chicken, and shrimp.

REFERENCES:
Alzheimer’s Association Website - Food and Eating