What is an important step to take when you are feeding an individual with Alzheimers disease?
How dementia can impact meal time habits and routinesHealthy eating is important for all of us. Sharing meal times with family and friends can provide structure to the day and increase the enjoyment of food. Show
When caring for someone with dementia, however, meal times can become stressful and frustrating. The caregiver has a lot to consider making sure that the person with dementia eats a well-balanced diet and is properly hydrated, but also ensuring that meal times are an experience associated with pleasure and enjoyment. Our eating habits and routines develop over a lifetime. Understanding the eating habits of someone with dementia can help you understand changes in behaviour, such as refusing to eat. The following information may help you make meal times pleasant. Questions to ask about the person
Questions to ask about the setting
How to handle decreased eating
Tips for improving meal timesWhether or not it’s possible to determine a specific reason for the problem, use these tips to make meal times easier and more pleasant. The atmosphere
The table
The food
Giving instructions
Day to dayIt can be difficult to determine the problem, especially if he is unable to explain it. As the caregiver for a person with dementia, try to keep in mind that she is not trying to be difficult; the changes in behaviour are not personal. By adapting some eating rituals, he can be encouraged to eat, often with independence and pleasure. What works one day may not work on another. Remember that you are doing the best you can. ReferencesCassolato, C. A., Keller, H. H., Dupuis, S. L., Schindel Martin, L., Edward, H. G. & Genoe, R. M. (2010). Meaning and experience of “eating out” for families living with dementia. Leisure/Loisir, (34)2, 107-125. DOI: 10.1080/14927713.2010.481107 Edwoba, A-K., Keller, H. H., Daly, K. (2011). The food-related role shift experiences of spousal male care partners and their wives with dementia. Journal of Aging Studies, 25(3), 305-315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2010.11.002 Genoe, R. M., Keller, H. H., Schindel Martin, L. & Dupuis, S. L. (2012). Adjusting to Mealtime Change within the Context of Dementia. Canadian Journal on Aging, 31(2) 173-194. DOI: 10.1353/cja.2012.0023 Genoe, R., Dupuis, S. L., Keller, H. H., Schindel Martin, L., Cassolato, C. & Edward, G. 2010. Honouring identity through mealtimes in families living with dementia. Journal of Aging Studies, 24(3), 181–193. doi:10.1016/j.jaging.2010.02.001 Keller, H. H., Smith, D., Kasdorf, C., Dupuis, S., Schindel Martin, L., Edward, G., Cook, C. & Genoe, R. (2008). Nutrition Education Needs and Resources for Dementia Care in the Community. American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementias, 23(1), 13-22. DOI: 10.1177/1533317507312805 Keller, H. H., Schindel Martin, L., Dupuis, S. L., Genoe, R., Edward, H. G. & Cassolato, C. (2010). Mealtimes and being connected in the community based dementia context. Dementia, 9(2), 191–213. DOI: 10.1177/1471301210364451 Keller, H. H., Schindel Martin, L., Dupuis, S. L., Reimer, H., & Genoe, R. (2015). Strategies to support engagement and continuity of activity during mealtimes for families living with dementia: a qualitative study. BMC Geriatrics, 15, 119. DOI 10.1186/s12877-015-0120-2 What practice is beneficial to those with Alzheimer's disease at meal time?Offer just one food at a time instead of filling the plate or table with too many options. Don't rush. Be patient and give the person enough time to finish the meal. Cut food into small pieces and make it soft enough to eat, which will help with chewing and swallowing.
How you would support your client with their mealtimes and eating in severe stage of dementia?Cut food into smaller bite-sized pieces, or serve finger foods. Serving meals in bowls rather than on plates can facilitate eating, as the sides make it easier to scoop food onto a fork or spoon. Someone with dementia will probably have an easier time drinking if you provide a straw.
What are the nursing intervention of Alzheimer's disease?Nursing Intervention
Establish an effective communication system with the patient and his family to help them adjust to the patient's altered cognitive abilities. Provide emotional support to the patient and his family. Administer ordered medications and note their effects.
How should you feed a patient with late stage Alzheimer's?To help the person in late-stage Alzheimer's stay nourished, allow plenty of time for eating and try these tips:. Make sure the person is in a comfortable, upright position. ... . Adapt foods if swallowing is a problem. ... . Encourage self-feeding. ... . Assist the person with feeding, if needed. ... . Encourage fluids. ... . Monitor weight.. |