Seniors with Alzheimer’s often don’t eat enough. There are many reasons seniors with Alzheimer’s may not be eating, but you must do as much as you can to get them to eat. Malnutrition is a big problem for seniors, and not getting enough food or the proper nutrients can leave seniors more susceptible to illness. Seniors who don’t eat also enough have a higher risk of falling or being injured because they are dizzy or feel light-headed. A few things that you can try to get your senior parent with Alzheimer’s to eat more are:
Alzheimer’s Home Care
Alzheimer’s home care is specialized care for people with Alzheimer’s. The caregivers providing Alzheimer’s Home Care have extensive training and experience working with seniors who have Alzheimer’s. They can suggest new methods that you can use to get your senior parent more interested in eating. And they can also help by providing solutions to other care problems affecting seniors with Alzheimer’s. If you feel overwhelmed by caring for a senior parent with Alzheimer’s, talk to a local provider about Alzheimer’s Care at home.
Tell Them When It’s Time To Eat
It would be best if you didn’t wait for a senior parent with Alzheimer’s to tell you when they are hungry. Depending on how advanced their Alzheimer’s is, they may not be able to recognize when they are hungry. And if you ask them if they want to eat, they may say no because they don’t want to be a burden or cause a fuss. Instead, you should have a strict meal and snack schedule and tell them when it’s time to eat. Guide them to the table and help them sit down. Once they are seated at the table, they may recognize that being at the table means it’s time to eat.
Make Foods That They Love
Your senior loved one probably doesn’t remember their favorite dish or what’s in it, but they may remember what it smells like. Smells are strongly associated with memories, so the smell of a dish they used to make all the time or that they have loved for a long time can trigger instant recognition. Go through some of your senior parent’s old cookbooks and try making some of the dishes from them. You may be surprised at what dishes your senior parent remembers.
Demonstrate For Them
Sometimes seniors don’t know what they’re supposed to do when seated at the dinner table. It may help if you show them what they are supposed to do. Pick up the flatware and show them how to cut the food and eat it. Also, make sure you’re using flatware designed for seniors. Senior flatware usually is oversized and has big ball grips instead of tiny little handles, so the pieces are easy for seniors to grab and lift. It would help if you also had cups with two large handles so that seniors can easily pick them up.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Alzheimer’s Home Care in Walnut Creek, CA, contact the friendly staff at Home Care Professionals today.
Call (866)-940-4855
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