Dementia Nutrition: This Is What Caregivers Must Know

Written by Larea Mcqueen

Hi, I'm Larea, I am a Registered Nurse specializing in Dementia Care, with 30 years of experience supporting dementia patients and their families. Over the years, I have provided care in diverse settings, including homes, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospice. My passion is guiding caregivers, sharing my knowledge and experience to help them navigate the challenges of dementia care with confidence and compassion.

The Importance of Dementia Nutrition

Let’s talk about the importance of nutrition for people with middle to late-stage dementia. It’s a crucial aspect of their care, as they can face many challenges with eating and drinking. So here are some things to keep in mind regarding their nutrition.

First of all, it’s essential to create a calm and relaxing mealtime environment. This means ensuring the space is comfortable, peaceful, and not too noisy or chaotic. People with dementia can be easily overwhelmed by sensory stimuli, so creating a soothing atmosphere can help them focus on their food. You can also try calming music or soft lighting to create a relaxing atmosphere.

Eating Concerns with Dementia Nutrition

Serving small, frequent meals can also be really helpful. People with dementia may struggle with larger meals and may not remember when they last ate. Smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day can help them maintain their energy levels and prevent them from getting too hungry or too full. Consider providing finger foods or easy-to-eat snacks, as this can make it easier for them to eat without assistance.
Offering familiar and favorite foods can also be really helpful. People with dementia may struggle with new or unfamiliar foods and may not recognize foods they used to enjoy. Offering foods, they are familiar with can help make mealtime more enjoyable and less stressful for them.

Hydration Concerns with Dementia nutrition

It’s also essential to make sure they’re getting enough hydration. People with dementia can sometimes forget to drink or may not recognize when they are thirsty. So ensuring they have plenty of fluids throughout the day can help prevent dehydration. You can also offer fluids in different forms, such as water, juice, or even soup or popsicles. See my Dehydration article for more information.

Hydration can become a problem that can lead to health issues. You will need to make sure they are getting enough to drink. The recommended amount is 8-10 glasses of fluids a day. Keep an eye on their urine output. They may get dehydrated if they do not go to the bathroom several times a day.

Another sign of dehydration is dark urine with a strong odor. (A strong foul odor can mean a urinary infection and should be checked by a doctor). A urine infection in older people can wreak havoc! They can have personality changes, quit eating, begin sleeping more, begin falling, or just appear sick. If something is just not right and you can’t put your finger on it have them checked for a urinary infection.

Vision Affects on Dementia Nutrition

As people age, it is common for their vision to decrease. For individuals living with dementia, this can be even more challenging. Dementia is a progressive disease that affects the brain and can cause a decline in cognitive function, including memory, language, and perception. As a caregiver for someone with dementia, it’s essential to understand how decreased vision can impact their eating habits.

Vision is critical when it comes to eating. It allows individuals to see their food, identify what is on their plate, and assess the portion sizes. However, as dementia progresses, the brain’s ability to process visual information declines. This can lead to several issues with eating, including difficulty recognizing food and determining the appropriate amount to eat.

One of the most common problems is difficulty distinguishing between different foods. Dementia patients may have trouble differentiating between the colors and textures of various foods, making it challenging to identify what they are eating. This can lead to confusion and may even cause them to refuse certain foods altogether.

Another issue is the inability to determine portion sizes. Without seeing the food properly, individuals with dementia may have difficulty estimating how much they need to eat. This can lead to overeating or undereating, negatively affecting their overall health.

Spillproof – Scoop Dish for Adults

Scoop plates with raised edges are designed to get the food from the plate to the utensil with one simple motion.

Caregivers can take several steps to help their loved ones with dementia maintain a healthy diet despite their vision challenges. One of the most effective strategies is to use contrasting colors when serving food.

For example, a red plate with colorful food can help the individual distinguish the plate from the table and between different items. Using utensils with high contrast with the food can also make it easier for the individual to see and eat their meals.

Another helpful strategy is to serve smaller portions on the plate. This can help the individual see and identify the food better and prevent overeating. Encouraging them to eat slowly and paying attention to their body’s signals is essential to prevent undereating.

Wide non-slip Eating Utensils

Adaptive kitchen utensils for adults are wider with a non-weighted design to support those with disabilities to improve dexterity and control.

Dementia Nutrition and supplements

In some cases, supplements may be necessary to help people with dementia get the necessary nutrients. Talk to their doctor or a registered dietitian to see if supplements might benefit them.

Another important aspect of nutrition for people with dementia is getting healthcare professionals involved in their care. Registered dietitians can provide personalized nutrition plans and monitor their nutritional status regularly. They can also help address specific nutritional deficiencies and ensure they get nutrients.

You should also be aware of any medication they take, as some medicines can negatively affect appetite and digestion. But, again, you may need to talk to their doctor about this and find alternative options if necessary.

It’s also important to avoid restrictive diets, as these can actually make things worse for people with dementia. Restrictive diets can lead to malnutrition and further cognitive decline, worsening the patient’s condition. Instead, aim to provide a balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs and preferences.

Feeding Tube?

As they move from the middle stage to the late stage, Dementia nutrition becomes a bigger issue. Getting them to eat will become harder and harder. Some people refuse to open their mouth and let anyone feed them. At some point, your physician may suggest a feeding tube. This is not a decision to make lightly.

If your family member is still in the early stage, please address this with them now! Most people do not want their life prolonged by a feeding tube. For many people, quality of life is more important than quantity. You must know your loved one’s wishes on this subject and respect their wishes when the time comes.

Socializing and Activity

Lastly, getting them active and socializing can also help their eating habits. Physical activity can improve their appetite and digestion, while socialization can reduce stress and anxiety during mealtimes. Even simple activities like taking a short walk or sitting outside in the sun can help improve their overall well-being.

In conclusion, proper nutrition is essential for people with middle to late-stage dementia. By creating a calm and relaxing mealtime environment, serving small, frequent meals, offering familiar and favorite foods, providing hydration, using supplements if necessary, involving healthcare professionals, and avoiding restrictive diets, we can help people with dementia get the nutrition they need. By taking these steps, we can help them live a healthy and fulfilling life, even in the face of cognitive challenges.