Smith, 45, has always prioritized his job over his mental health, but things took a different turn when he was diagnosed with dementia in 2018. Life hasn’t been easier since then. He lives with his wife, Jenny, and children, and he enjoys every opportunity he gets to spend quality time with them.
He has started prioritizing his health and mental peace since then. He has made peace with his progressive mental condition.
However, Jenny recognizes certain behavioral changes, especially in his eating habits. To make things easier for herself, she gets assistance from dementia care services now and then.
She gets the idea that living with someone diagnosed with dementia can be pretty overwhelming. The thought of constant care, love, support, and patience makes her emotionally drained.
However, knowing the right way to take care of a loved one diagnosed with dementia can make things slightly easier. In this article, I am going to tell you that Jenny has been helping her loved ones live well with proper nutrition intake, and you can do it too!
How To Encourage Your Loved One With
Dementia To Eat?
Losing the sense of smell or taste can trigger disinterest in consuming healthy meals.I have compiled a list of practical advice that you can follow to help your loved one eat healthily:
Make The Plate Colorful
You may have noticed that someone diagnosed with dementia is attracted to colors.
Well, studies have shown that seeing colorful objects raises serotonin levels. This mood-booster hormone provides a sense of comfort to people dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. You can use this to your own benefit.
Tip: Prepare the food platter with a lot of colorful veggies.
When someone with dementia sees food that is the same color as the plate, they often fail to distinguish the contrast. Making a colorful platter will help them distinguish the food, and they can consume it without further ado.
Finger Foods Are Easier to Eat
As memory issues progress, care recipients with dementia may have challenges consuming their meals.
To make eating easier, you can do:
Tip: Cut foods into smaller chunks
Fruits like berries have strong contrasting colors. You can also fill the platter with protein-packed nuts like almonds, Brazil nuts, and many more. Try vegetable crisps, fish fingers, bits of chicken, and so on.
Help Your Loved Ones Concentrate on Food
Cognitive decline can affect the concentration and memory of your loved ones. If your loved one is not eating, don’t get overwhelmed. Simply keep trying. Don’t make small talk, and help focus on the activity.
Tip: Teach your loved one how to eat without losing focus
You need to be a food guide and show them how to eat every bite slowly and steadily. It is like teaching a child and helping them learn things initially.
Don’t break eye contact, and keep a warm smile on your face. Show them steadily and with patience. Your loved one will start copying you slowly and having meals.
Clear Up the Spaces where You Eat
Wherever you eat, make sure that your space is completely tidy. Keep your phones off and turn off your TV, especially when eating with someone diagnosed with dementia.
Tip: Keep the things in place and make sure there is no distraction.
People diagnosed with dementia have difficulty dealing with noise. Therefore, make sure the place is tidy before you sit with your loved one to enjoy the meal.
Is your loved one diagnosed with Dementia eating properly?
In conclusion, nutrition plays a key role in overall well-being, and things are no different for people diagnosed with Dementia. A combination of nutritious veggies, colorful fruits, and protein-packed shakes can diminish the rate of progressive dementia symptoms.
Follow the above tips and help your loved one eat more healthy foods. However, if you feel overwhelmed and your loved one is not consuming a healthy diet, getting an extra supportive hand does no harm.
Get in touch with a certified senior care expert at Senior Care Love. Our certified care advisors will help you get in touch with the right caregiver to help you. Our trusted care experts know various dementia care facilities in Baltimore, MD, and several other areas of Silver Spring.
Our care management offers ample customized support and guidance to families and caregivers who are overwhelmed by helping out their loved ones diagnosed with dementia.
Contact us to get in touch with a senior care advisor!