HealthTree Blog

Alzheimer’s disease can cause a person to have a decrease in appetite and lose interest in food. Some researchers believe that in the late stages of this disease the part of the brain that controls the muscles used in swallowing become damaged and a person forgets how to swallow.

Getting a person with Alzheimer’s to eat can be the one of the most frustrating things a caregiver faces. Some of the things to do to perhaps help with this can include:

Make the portions very small. Many patients can not deal with choices and therefore do not wish to try to eat. Also, make the table appear as simple as possible. Place only one plate, one utensil and one drinking glass instead of several bowls and plates. Having too much around them will often confuse a person and then they will not concentrate on the task at hand – eating.

Give the patient foods with flavor. Instead of plain mashed potatoes try adding a bit of spicy seasonings. In is known that as a person ages our taste buds diminish. Spicing up food may help with eating. Try different things. Sprinkle sugar on foods that do not usually require sugar, use salt on foods that you would not normally put salt on. Alzheimer’s patients are often confused and they may be willing to eat foods a healthy person would not think of trying.

There are drink products on the market that provide a person with the needed calories and nutrients. If a person will not eat at all these may be the only thing that will help. A person that has difficulty swallowing can take these products easier than food.

If an Alzheimer’s patient wants to choose their meal let them. It may not be what you would eat, but if they will eat then all the better.