7 tips to overcome eating challenges in patients with Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s patients make poor eating decisions due to lack of motivation, depression, and inability to manage regular eating utensils. Additionally, increased forgetfulness might cause them to forget whether or not they ate something. Medications and an aversion to strong taste and smells are other underlying problems.
A healthy diet is therefore an essential part of your loved one’s Alzheimer’s care plan. An Alzheimer patient needs proper nutrition to support brain function and slow the progression of the disease.

As a caregiver, even though one is helping the patient to prepare meals, getting him or her to eat regularly can be an entirely different challenge.

These seven strategies can be effective for getting your loved one to eat throughout the day and to deal with the eating challenges.

• Maintain A Familiar Routine –
  A familiar routine makes it easier to transition to mealtime after doing another activity. A mealtime routine can be as simple as having your loved one wash his or her hands before sitting down at the table. You could also play a special song just before you eat, sending a signal to your loved one that it’s mealtime.
• Use Coloured Plates –
  The use of colour helps to stimulate interest in Alzheimer’s patients, as often they have trouble distinguishing between colours. If the food is too close to the colour palette of the plate, people with dementia can struggle to distinguish the contrast between the two and realise there is food to be eaten.
• Use Natural Seasonings To Enhance Flavour –
  Seniors usually experience a decrease in the sense of taste as they get older, but people with Alzheimer’s seem to have a greater reduction in the ability to taste, which can make eating meals unappealing. Since Alzheimer’s patients need to avoid salt and fats because they’re unhealthy for the heart, there needs to be a healthy way to add flavours. The safest options are fresh herbs, spices, oregano, chilli flakes or a mixture of all the herbs. Addition of a few herbs can make a simple omelette very exciting for the patient.
• Offer Simple Choices –
  Alzheimer’s patients still have preferences for what they eat. Try offering your loved one a choice between two different types of food. For instance, you could ask if he or she wants cottage cheese or eggs for dinner. Feeling a sense of control over his or her meals may make your loved one more likely to try the dishes you serve.
• Make Mealtimes Fun –
  No one eats well when he or she is stressed or lonely. Try to maintain a lighthearted atmosphere during meals, and avoid telling your loved one what to eat. Family members often can accompany during meals, and they can use this time to talk about the flavours of the food to get the patients interested in eating what’s been served.
• Choose Foods That Are Easy To eat –
  A person with Alzheimer’s may have difficulty chewing and swallowing and using certain utensils. Try serving more finger foods, such as homemade chicken nuggets or vegetable cutlets. Soft foods, such as mashed potatoes or mashed cauliflower, are also good options.
• Reduce distractions –
  Mealtime can be overwhelming for someone with Alzheimers or dementia, and any additional distractions can make it more challenging. If having too many foods served at once becomes distracting, consider serving each part of the meal separately. For instance, serve sweet potatoes first, then the main course.

Over to You: If the person with dementia or Alzheimer’s has a sudden change in their ability or interest in eating, or if they have a sudden weight loss, it’s important to first rule out any medical explanations. While getting a senior with dementia or Alzheimer’s to eat enough can be a huge challenge, these expert tips can make the process much easier for caregivers.