- Encourage exercise – Exercise can make a person feel hungrier: The hungrier the person feels, the more likely he or she is to eat.
- Monitor medications – Some medications interfere with appetite. Others may cause dry mouth, so make sure that the patient gets enough liquids with food. Discuss eating problems with your loved one’s doctor to see if medication needs to change.
- Make mealtimes pleasing to the patient – Add flowers to the table or play soothing music. Make the patient’s favorite food and serve it on dishes that contrast highly with food colors. Reduce distractions in the eating area. Also, avoid foods that are too hot or too cold, as these may be unpleasant to the patient.
- Feed the patient like a baby – Try giving the patient little spoonfuls, and sing short, funny rhymes to get him or her to eat. Get the person to smile so that the mouth opens, and then slip a little food in. Provide finger foods and children’s sipper cups, as the person may have trouble using utensils and normal cups.
- Monitor chewing and swallowing – Chewing and swallowing difficulties can develop as Alzheimer's progresses. If necessary, give instructions on when to chew and when to swallow. Keep the person upright for 30 minutes after eating to avoid choking.
- Transition into providing only puréed or soft foods – In the later stages of Alzheimer's, the person can no longer swallow food and may choke on food. Swallowing problems can lead to pneumonia because the patient may inhale food or liquid into the lungs. Begin a liquids-only diet when the time is right.
Don't forget to take care of yourself!
Caregiving for a loved one with dementia can be extremely demanding and stressful. Each day can bring more challenges and higher levels of anxiety, often without any signs of appreciation from the person you're taking care of. Unfortunately, when you’re stressed and fatigued, you lose the ability to remain calm and soothing, and the patient will inevitably pick up on those negative feelings. This in turn can add to the patient’s own levels of stress and increase their problem behavior.Taking care of yourself and getting help and support is essential for both your well-being and your loved one’s quality of life. Respite care can provide a break to help you relieve stress and restore energy. Make use of any services available to you and don't be afraid of asking for help from other family members. It can make all the difference to your success as a caregiver.
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