4 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Mealtime with Dementia

Over time, people develop unique relationships with food – determining what they like and do not like. It is commonplace to have a favorite meal, type of food, place to eat, etc. Individuals living with dementia, however, commonly experience changes from their normal food habits. Depending on the person and what stage of dementia they are in, a loved one may show changes in things like appetite, eating habits, food preferences or swallowing ability. According to the Mayo Clinic, these changes in food habits may occur for a number of reasons including:

• Memory loss
• Trouble doing tasks in order or multitasking
• Sensory changes
• Agitation
• Dental problems
• Medications
• Lack of exercise
• Poor coordination
• Depression
• Constipation
• Poor chewing and swallowing skills

Given this wide array of challenges, it may be surprising to see how making small changes can positively impact the mealtime experience. 

Here are four tips for getting the most out of mealtime:

1. Prepare well-balanced, nutritious meals

Individuals living with dementia, like anyone, need proper nutrition. To support proper nutrition, it is best to offer a variety of foods that are easy to chew and swallow, and contain low amounts of saturated fat, cholesterol, sugar and salt. It is also important to maintain regular hydration throughout the day. Keep in mind that a loved one may benefit from prompts to eat and drink, especially if they often don’t remember when they have or haven’t eaten throughout the day. 

2. Set the table for success

A simple and organized table arrangement will enable a loved one to eat more. For starters, it is important to avoid patterned place settings. Patterns on place setting items such as plates, napkins, tablecloths, etc. can be extremely confusing and may keep your loved one from eating. However, using different solid colors to differentiate between place setting items can make it easier for a loved one to see and eat their food. For example, we might consider serving a variety of colorful foods on a white plate, placed on a blue tablecloth. It is best to start with small to regular size portions as to not overload the plate, and to keep foods hot/cold. Also we should be sure to check the temperature of the food before serving, as a loved one may not be able to tell if it is too hot or cold. Finally, remove any non-food related items, and only put items on the table that will be used for mealtime. 

3. Make the environment comfortable and encouraging 

We should be sure that a loved one is in an environment that is appealing to them and free from distractions. We can start by checking that they have comfortable seating and exchanging the background noise of a television for soothing music of their choice. In addition to honoring their individual preferences, it is also important to focus on a loved one’s remaining abilities and strengths. For example, if a loved one struggles with using utensils but is still able to feed themselves, we can consider modifying the utensils by adding large handles or simply offering meals served as finger foods that are prepared in easy-to-hold pieces. We shouldn’t worry if the space gets a little messy. However, we should be sure to allow plenty of time for your loved one to eat. Eating together and socializing during mealtime can make it even more enjoyable and less rushed. 

4. Let the person living with dementia lead

Just like with other forms of care, it is important for the individual to be in control as much as possible. We should consider what foods they like to eat and when they prefer to eat them, even if their choices or combinations seem atypical. Allowing the individual to help prepare the food can also help them maintain a sense of control and interest.

Mealtime is an important part of ongoing care for individuals living with dementia and so is having regular conversations about nutrition. For more nutrition and mealtime tips for dementia, visit the Alzheimer’s Association website. Seeking professional support from a loved ones’ healthcare team is also encouraged, particularly from registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN) who can assess nutrient needs and develop individualized eating plans. Use Eat Right’s Find a Nutrition Expert tool to find an RDN right for you. Additionally, Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) are trained to assess and diagnose  swallowing disorders. For more information on swallowing disorders, visit the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and use their ProFind tool to find an SLP in your area.

This article was written as a part of the Expansion of Dementia-Capable Communities within Urban and Rural Settings in Ohio using Evidence-Based and Informed Programming project, funded by the Administration for Community Living, Alzheimer’s Disease Program’s Initiative (#90ADPI0052-01-00). Learn more here.