Mealtimes can be challenging for individuals in the middle or late stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Distractions, memory loss, confusion, an overwhelming number of options, and changes in perception, taste, and smell can all impact how someone with Alzheimer’s disease eats. For the 1 in 9 Americans aged 65 and older living with the disease, this can negatively affect their health and overall well-being. Let’s discuss some tips to make eating with Alzheimer’s disease easier.

Why is Eating More Difficult?

Due to changes in the brain and nervous system, Alzheimer’s disease can create several difficulties related to eating, such as:

• Forgetting how to chew and swallow.
• Trouble recognizing food or drinks.
• Difficulty judging the temperature of food.
• Loss of taste and smell.
• Forgetting to eat or thinking they’ve already eaten.
• Difficulty picking up utensils/food due to problems with coordination.
• Painful or missing teeth.
• Medications that change appetite or cause dry mouth.

Nutrition

A well-balanced diet is essential for any senior, especially those with Alzheimer’s disease. Poor diet and nutrition can cause unintended weight loss and increase behavioral symptoms such as agitation and trouble sleeping. Here are some tips for caregivers:

• Avoid foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol.
• Limit refined sugars (often found in processed foods).
• Reduce sodium intake.
• Provide healthy foods, including fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, and lean proteins.
• Encourage adequate water intake throughout the day.

Tips for Making Mealtimes Comfortable & Successful

For those in the middle and late stages, it’s essential to do everything you can to make eating with Alzheimer’s disease easier.

1. Stick to a schedule.

Consistent routines can help those with Alzheimer’s feel more comfortable and less anxious. Serving meals at the same time each day can help remove some uncertainty and reinforce their schedule.

2. Simplify the environment.

A calm and quiet place for meals is essential. Avoid distractions by turning off the TV or radio and using a clutter-free table that only includes necessary items.

3. Make the food stand out.

Using contrasting colors (i.e., brightly colored plates and utensils with beige foods or white plates with brightly colored fruits and vegetables) can help your loved one more easily recognize what is being served.

4. Serve one food at a time.

Too many choices can overwhelm individuals with Alzheimer’s. If this is an issue, consider serving one type of food at a time and using multiple courses. Before serving each food, inform your loved one of what it is.

5. Offer finger foods.

Those with Alzheimer’s often have trouble using utensils, which can cause agitation and, thus, derail mealtime. Serving easy-to-eat foods like sandwiches, fruits, vegetables, or cheese sticks can help your loved one feel more independent.

6. Don’t rush.

Seniors living with Alzheimer’s often take longer at mealtimes. Don’t let this frustrate you, and don’t rush them. Trying to hurry them along can agitate your loved one, and they may not eat at all because of it.

7. Stick to foods they know and love.

Serving foods your loved one recognizes reduces the potential for confusion, especially if they struggle with recognizing new or unfamiliar dishes. Familiar foods can also trigger positive memories and create a sense of comfort. However, keep in mind it is possible for your loved one to suddenly develop different food preferences and reject foods they’ve liked in the past.

8. Eat with them.

Social interaction is vital for those living with Alzheimer’s disease. Making mealtimes social by talking about things you both enjoy or telling stories about family memories can help your loved one feel more comfortable.

How Grand Oaks Can Help

If your loved one is living with Alzheimer’s disease, they deserve a home that focuses on specialized memory care. At the Oasis Neighborhood at Grand Oaks, our experienced team provides compassionate, personalized support tailored to each individual. Our peaceful, nurturing environment promotes comfort and tranquility while giving families peace of mind, knowing their loved ones are safe and receiving the expert memory care they need. Learn more.