|
Caregiving
Information
Caregiver
Tips
Adding
foods to increase calories High
calorie/high protein drink Support GroupsResources
General
Information
Barber, Barton, Clark, Comanche, Edwards, Finney, Ford, Grant,
Gray, Greeley, Hamilton, Haskell, Hodgeman, Kearny, Kiowa, Lane, Meade,
Morton, Ness, Pawnee, Pratt, Rush, Scott, Seward, Stafford, Stanton, Stevens,
Wichita |
Eating Ideas...for those with memory loss...
·
Dishes with fancy patterns may be a source of visual confusion and
distraction for your patient. Solid-color dishes contrasting with the color
of the food being served may help. ·
Offering an entire meal on a plate at the same time can be confusing
and distracting. Try placing one food item at a time on the dish. Or use a
separate plate for each food item. (Disposable plates save time and energy.) ·
If you do place the entire meal on your patient's plate at one time,
rotate the plate frequently. This will help your patient notice all the
different foods on the plate. ·
A diminished ability to taste different flavors may cause your patient
tot be distracted or uninterested in eating a meal if food has lost its
appeal. Flavor enhancers can help. For example, chicken can be marinated with
chicken broth to intensify taste and aroma, Strong flavors such as bacon and
cheese added to soups and vegetables may also help. What eating-related problems will I encounter as
physical and mental abilities decline? How can I help overcome these problems? ·
Alzheimer patients develop visual difficulties. A strong contrast
between the color of the plate and the food will allow the patient to see the
food more easily. A solid-colored tablecloth that strongly contrasts with
your dishes will also be helpful. ·
Some patients forget how to use forks, knives, and spoons. They may
begin to eat food with their fingers. IF your patient has lost the ability to
use eating utensils, consider new ways to make the food easier to hold. For
example offer French toast sticks instead of full slices for breakfast. For
other meals, try using chicken sticks or nuggets instead of large pieces of
chicken, or fish sticks in place of fish fillets. ·
Some patients experience tremors that may cause them to spill food
frequently. Swivel spoons may be helpful. ·
Plastic cups with sipping lids used for young children will help avoid
spilled drinks. ·
Some patients repeatedly drop food off their forks and spoons. To avoid food-soiled clothing, consider a
washable, reusable adult-sized bib. Your patient may become upset at the
prospect of wearing a bib. It may help if you are willing to set an example
by also wearing one. ·
Excessive drooling can be a problem. Try offering fruit nectar of
juices in place of milk. Milk tends to promote drooling by increasing mucus
production. |
Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging,
Inc.
620-225-8230 • Older Kansan's Hotline 800-742-9531 • Fax: 620-225-8240 • SWKAAA@hotmail.com
RJL 6/12/2007