10 Tips for Managing Mealtimes
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Encouragement can be a key element to a successful meal. Sit close
and smile to get her attention. Give necessary directions in simple
phrases to guide her to eat and drink at meals.
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Provide a comfortable atmosphere by checking room temperature,
providing good lighting, and using comfortable chairs at the table.
Encourage the person you are assisting to toilet before meals to increase
their comfort, which will also increase appetite.
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Small frequent meals can sometimes improve nutrition problems due to nausea
from medications or acid reflux. Five or six smaller meals can also contribute
to an overall greater intake of needed protein, calories, and fluids.
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To help prevent constipation, provide a diet with plenty of fiber,
including whole grains, vegetables, and fruit.
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Encourage drinking at least eight glasses of water, but remember that
some person’s with Alzheimer’s disease may need prompting, cueing, and/or
encouragement to do this. (If a person is reluctant to drink water,
offer fluid in other forms, or add a drop of ginger or a squeeze of
lemon or lime to the water for flavoring)
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Try using a very simple table presentation with contrasting colors.
Plain tablecloths and dishes may help in limiting distractions and
promote concentration on eating. Select plates with rims can help with
scooping food. Special utensils that provide a better grip may improve
coordination and support independence.
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You remove clutter from the table, play quiet, soothing music, and
reduce noise and traffic distractions to reduce stress during mealtime.
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To reduce the possibility of dental problems, encourage tooth brushing
and/or at least “swishing” after every meal or snack. Oral care after the
last snack before bedtime is particularly important, because the food in
the mouth has more time to decay and form bacteria.
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Physical exercise is widely beneficial. Exercise will improve appetite and
digestion, intestinal motility, muscle tone and joint flexibility. Even
exercising from a seated position in a chair can serve to increase the heart
rate, deepen respirations and contribute to an overall sense of well being.
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Spending quality time with a person with dementia can have many benefits,
especially at mealtime. Reminisce about food, favorite restaurants, flowers,
gardens or any other joyful topic.
Core Principles of Care: Safety, Comfort, Respect, Autonomy
©2008 LightBridge Healthcare Research, Inc.
