Overcoming Alzheimer’s Eating Problems

Overcoming Alzheimer’s Eating Problems

Crafting a diet plan designed to meet the person’s nutritional requirements makes it crucial if you are a caregiver to someone with this disease. Alzheimer’s can affect a person’s eating habits making them experience problems such as overeating or under eating. Fortunately there are a number of strategies that you can use to keep them in good health:

  • Overeating: Some people suffering from Alzheimer’s simply eat too much food because they might forget when the last ate, or might have experienced a change in their food cravings that prompts them to snack on sweets. They could also be eating out of boredom created because of their illness. If not dealt with, overeating can lead to significant weight gain. Here are some tips for dealing with overeating:
    • Limit access to sweets by locking them away.
    • Substitute healthy alternatives, such as fruits and vegetables.
    • Serve nutritious snacks and finger foods throughout the day in small portions.
    • Plan activities for them that will distract them and help to prevent boredom-related overeating.
  • Under eating: People with Alzheimer’s can suffer from a dramatic decrease in appetite as the disease progresses. To help them get enough to eat, you can:
    • Visit a dentist and make sure the person’s eating issues are not related to sore gums or ill-fitting dentures,
    • Review medications with their doctor to see if any might be affecting their appetite.
    • Prepare appetizing foods, full of good scents, colors, and flavor, and serve small portions throughout the day.
    • Limit choices by presenting them with only one or two foods at a time, to reduce confusion or frustration.
    • Prompt them to eat by taking a bite or two yourself.
    • Stay the course, or have someone else sit and encourage your loved one to make sure they actually eat.

Resource: Everyday Health Photo Cred: Mirror.co/uk


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