LightBridge

It is difficult to know how much to help the person with dementia during mealtime. Promoting independence is very important, so let the person try to feed her/himself as much as s/he is capable of doing. Try not to worry about messiness. If the person tends to make a mess, try using a smock, apron, or large bib. Try to eat in a place with easy-to-clean furniture and floors. Try to serve finger foods. As abilities decrease, drinking through straws and sippy cups may be helpful. Sometimes people with dementia have difficulty chewing or swallowing, so offer to cut up food for them or serve bite-size pieces. Sometimes the person may need helps starting the eating process so they may need help with the first bite. Remember that mealtime should be a social time, so try to take time to sit and eat with the person.

This information is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice, read more at: http://www.lightbridgehealthcare.com/2838.xml

I am fortunate that Mom still has a wonderful appetite at 92 and will eat almost anything (she has dentures), but since her dementia, I find she does best when we sit down together and eat. When I was growing up, she made it important that the family eat together. She has never forgotten that and neither have I. And when I have friends over for dinner, I always include her at the table. She enjoys the conversation