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Mealtime can be challenging for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or memory loss due to poor depth perception and physical changes. Listed below are some tips to help make meal times more enjoyable.
- Use contrasting colored plates and linens. People with Alzheimer’s dementia suffer from depth perception problems.
- Know their likes and dislikes.
- Provide adaptive equipment for independent eating such as scooped plates, large handled silverware, and cups with lids.
- To maintain independence, provide finger foods for loved ones who can no longer use silverware or for those that pace and wander.
- Serve foods in edible containers such as pita bread, ice cream cones or taco shells.
- Ensure adequate lighting in all dining areas.
- Serve small portions frequently throughout the day. Large portions can be overwhelming which can prevent them from eating any of it.
- Minimize distractions during meal times.
- Cue your loved one by sitting with them during meals to mirror your actions.
- Serve meals around the same time every day.
- Serve hot foods hot and cold foods cold.
- Have the meal ready to serve prior to sitting your loved one at the table.
- Cut up foods prior to serving.
- Let the person with Alzheimer’s disease help set the table and prepare the meal.
- Missing or broken teeth can make it difficult to chew. Try introducing soft foods.
- Offer plenty of liquids with the meal to aide in digestion.
- Flavor water with lemon or orange slices.
- Keep fluids within easy reach.
- Use travel cups to prevent spills.
- Be mindful of very cold fluids. This can be uncomfortable to loved ones with broken or chipped teeth.
- Add additional fluids by serving Jell-O, soup, pudding, popsicles, smoothies or “mocktails.”
Back to Caregiver Tips for more tips!
