For people with severe dementia, the taste and smell of food and drink can evoke memories of once popular dishes and traditions. The aroma of coffee at breakfast, the smell of freshly baked waffles, or of sautéed bacon with onions brings back earlier times and often whets appetites over them. The clatter of dishes while preparing a meal is also a familiar sound. Therefore, let your relative with dementia participate in everyday things as often as possible and try to bring him back into our world, at least temporarily, through familiar smells and sounds.
New table manners
Eating with a knife and fork is the most natural thing in the world for us. People with advanced dementia, on the other hand, often perceive cutlery as a threat. They also often no longer know how to correctly interpret its function. They simply reach out with their fingers. Certainly, everyone is initially piqued and unpleasantly touched by this. But for many, the mouth remains closed when the fork or spoon approaches. In these cases, give help in handling the cutlery.
If this does not lead to success, simply allow the food to be eaten with the fingers. It is best to prepare food that can be eaten easily with the fingers, so-called “finger food”. For example, croquettes, vegetable sticks, fish sticks and meatballs are easy to eat with your fingers. This relaxes the table situation, there is no spilling and muddling.
As far as the feet carry
Due to the urge to move and the inner restlessness, dementia patients sometimes consume considerable amounts of energy. Constant shifting of furniture, endless running around, but also the stereotypical screaming and moaning increase the energy demand. Especially with the additional disturbances in eating and drinking, this can quickly lead to weight loss and malnutrition. Therefore, the food and drinks should be as high in energy as possible.
How to put more calories on your plate!
- Refine sauces, soups and casseroles with cream or creme fraiche.
- Add butter or vegetable oil to vegetable dishes.
- Use cream curd and cream yogurt.
- Provide nibbles for in between, such as cookies, nuts and cheese bites.
- Prepare high-calorie milkshakes, such as pureed fruit, cream, cottage cheese and sugar.
- For severe weight loss, energy and nutrient-rich drinkable foods from the pharmacy can be helpful. They come in many different flavors and can be used well as a snack.
Adapt the personal environment
Consider the many behavioral changes that the affected person can no longer adapt to his environment, rather the personal environment must be adapted to the sick person. If this is recognized, dealing with dementia patients is often easier and some conflict situations are avoided. Eating and drinking is also made easier for many as a result and is still fun into old age.
Book tip/reading tip
- Deutsche Alzheimer Gesellschaft e. V. (2004) Nutrition in the home care of dementia patients.
- Aid infodienst Verbraucherschutz, Ernährung, Landwirtschaft e. V., Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung (Eds.): Ernährung im hohen Alter – Ratgeber für Angehörige und Pflegende.
