Posted on June 18, 2010 - by Nurse Virginia

HOW TO HELP THE ELDER WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE OR A RELATED DEMENTIA EAT SAFELY

Whether it is eating non-food items, using utensils incorrectly or having difficult behaviors during meals, solving mealtime problems for the elder can be challenging.

CODE IS AS FOLLOWS: Problem is stated and suggested correction follows in bold type.

PROBLEMS WITH USING DINING EQUIPMENT

• Uses knife/fork/spoon incorrectly   – Using hand-over-hand, demonstrate use of utensil, if unsuccessful remove.
• Eating non-finger foods with hands – Wash elder’s hands before the meal, and cut food in bite size pieces.
• Elder is using cup or glass incorrectly – First demonstrate by using hand-over-hand – if unsuccessful remove.

PROBLEMS WITH FOOD

• Elder mixes inappropriate foods together – If the elder eats less than 50% of the food – start serving just one item at a time.
• Elder eats pieces of food that are too large for safe intake – Cut the food into bite size pieces before serving.
• Elder just wants to eat sweets or deserts and neglects other foods – Don’t have anything sweet in sight, and just bring deserts out after the meal has been eaten.
• Elder will only eat certain food groups or only liquids – Remove that food group – and serve at the end of the meal.
• Elder eats too fast for safety – Keep reminding elder to slow down and chew (don’t leave unattended while eating) give the elder only small amounts of food at a time.
• Elder eats everything and anything – even non-food items – Give the elder small meals more frequently (6 times a day) check the elder’s living area for unsafe items that may be ingested.

PROBLEMS WITH DINING BEHAVIORS

• Impatient behavior before meal is served – Bring the elder to the table when the food is ready to be served.
• Impatient behavior during the meal (fidgeting) – Take the elder to the bathroom immediately prior to the meal.
• The elder stares without eating – Touch the elder’s arm, say the elder’s name, put a utensil in the elder’s hand and do some hand-over-hand to get them started.
• Elder routinely gets up from the table and walks away without eating enough – Experiment with finger foods that can be eaten “on the run.” Many food items can be eaten rolled up in a piece of soft bread, pita pocket – anything that can hold food items.
• Elder is always searching for food – Keep on hand small food items – individual jello containers, pudding containers or protein shakes.

Virginia Garberding, R.N.

Director of Education, The Wealshire, Lincolnshire, Illinois

Author: Please Get To Know Me – Aging with Dignity and Relevance

www.pleasegettoknowme.com