Eating well with dementia Te kainga pai me te mate korongenge

People with dementia, especially older people, may find it difficult to eat well.

In later stages:

• dementia can affect the types of food you want to eat
• you may not feel hungry or thirsty
• you may have difficulty with chewing and swallowing
• you may find you are easily distracted at mealtimes
• restlessness and increased activity can increase the amount of energy (kilojoules or calories) you need to eat.

Follow these guidelines to help make sure you are getting the nutrition you need.

Eating well can help you feel more energetic and will enable you to live in your own home for longer. If you do not eat and drink enough, you can make your dementia worse.

Eat a variety of nutritious foods.

• vegetables and fruit
• grain foods, mostly wholegrain and those naturally high in fibre
• milk and milk products such as cheese and yoghurt
• fish, chicken, lean red meat or eggs
• nuts, seeds or legumes (cooked dried beans, split peas and lentils).

Maintaining a healthy weight can help your physical and mental health.

• If you are aged over 70, losing weight may worsen your brain function.
• Some people find that eating small frequent meals and snacks is easier than eating 3 larger meals a day, particularly if your appetite is not as good as it used to be.
• If you notice you are losing weight without trying, talk to your healthcare provider. They may refer you to see a dietitian. In this case, there will be no cost and you will be seen in a clinic or at your home. You can also pay to see a private dietitian.

There is no reliable evidence that any supplements or alternative medicines slow down dementia.

But if you are having trouble eating enough to meet your needs, your healthcare provider or dietitian may prescribe:

• a vitamin or mineral supplement
• a nutrition supplement drink such as Ensure or Fortisip.

Talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking:

• nutrition supplements
• herbal medicines
• over-the-counter medicines.

These can interact with your prescribed medicines.

Keeping your teeth and mouth healthy will help you continue to eat well.

• Avoid sugary foods and drinks between meals as these can damage your teeth.
• Brush your teeth morning and night every day with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
• After brushing your teeth, swish and spit but do not rinse.
• Try and see your dentist once a year, even if your teeth and gums seem fine.

Meals on Wheels may be available for people who:

• cannot prepare a hot meal without help because of a medical condition or disability
• have no whānau help
• need a delivered meal to eat well and stay independent.

Your healthcare provider can refer you for Meals on Wheels. There will be a small cost for the service.

Meals on Wheels

If you are caring for a relative or friend with dementia, try these tips.

• Prepare a large quantity of food and split it up into meal portions. Label, date and freeze the portions.
• Set an alarm as a reminder for mealtimes. Leave instructions on where to find food and how to heat it in the microwave.
• Leave a selection of finger foods in the fridge such as mini sandwiches, cheese cubes, cut oranges, carrot sticks and single-serve milkshakes. Leave items that keep well such as crackers, muesli bars and fruit in easy-to-see places in the house.
• Have drinks easily available. Offer small amounts frequently.
• Foods previously enjoyed may taste bland. Keep a list of foods enjoyed and retry again from time to time. The aim is to enjoy a wide variety of foods.
• Eat together, while encouraging independent eating. You can act as a role model and provide prompts for chewing and swallowing. People eat more when the meal is a social time.
• Allow plenty of time to eat.
• Serve one food or dish at a time. Remove distractions from the table and use plain crockery (no patterns) to avoid confusion.
• Do not stress if the person living with dementia is not as tidy as usual when eating or uses their hands to eat. Enjoying the food is most important.