4 minute read
Food Safety
Care for Loved Ones with Dementia
Dementia is more than just memory loss and everyone's experience of dementia symptoms are different. Research suggests that up to a third of dementia cases could be linked to controllable risk factors. We can all take steps to reduce our risk of developing dementia by adopting healthy lifestyle choices. However, with more than 16 million Americans providing care at home for their loved ones with Dementia, it is likely that someone you know might need help. Please find some information from our
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Occupational Therapy
Department on how to support safe feeding and swallowing for people with Dementia.
n INTERACTION:
• Sit down, and make sure you are at their eye level. • Be aware of your non-verbal communication, such as your smile and body language. • Provide a calm environment by slowing your pace and having a gentle tone. • Make sure to validate their feelings. • Provide reassurance such as “You are here with me, you are safe.” • Avoid correcting them, use “ please Do…instead of Don’t” • Be creative with reorientation. • Gently redirect them to the task at hand. • Highlight their abilities, not their failures. • Provide simple prompts “Open, Eat, Swallow” • Use directions and gestures, and hand-over-hand guidance. • The person may be more receptive to gentle touch on the surface of their palm rather than the back of their hand. • Keep the person engaged by holding the cup or utensil even if you have to do most of the work.
n ENVIRONMENT:
• Limit distractions by turning off the TV, closing the curtains. • Make sure there is calm music or no music. • Minimize visual overload by removing clutter, and present one item at a time. • Make sure to provide them with their glasses for near-vision viewing if needed.
n PRESENTATION OF FOOD:
• Use large-grip utensils. These can be made with extra grips. • Present meals with just a spoon. • Use finger foods if the patient is unable to use a spoon. • Use bowls instead of plates. • Make sure to find out their food preferences. • Use sweeter items or food preference at meals to encourage oral intake.
n TEXTURE MODIFICATIONS:
• As dementia progresses, patients may have behaviors such as pocketing, spitting out and making inappropriate complaints about food. • Try changing foods to softer textures. • Try improving sensory engagement by using aromas, colors and textures as tolerated, use comfort foods. • If softer textures do not work, try changing food to pureed textures. • If the person is spitting out medications, try crushing the medications, but check with your pharmacist first as some extended release medications cannot be crushed. • Adding supplements during the middle stages of dementia can help with preventing weight loss in the final stages.
n WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?
• If your loved one is still limiting food intake, or unable to chew, it is time to talk to their doctor to assess if they are getting adequate nutrition, or if there are other options. Speech Therapy can help assess the need for changing textures further and provide more tips on effective feeding.
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