Alzheimer’s disease and dementia create lots of sensory changes for seniors because of how these illnesses affect different parts of the brain. Aging can also create sensory changes, and when these two issues combine, seniors with dementia may experience problems like an increased lack of appetite. This can very quickly lead to malnutrition, dehydration, and other health issues that are dangerous. Alzheimer’s home care services can help families stay on top of the difficulties that lack of appetite can cause for seniors with dementia.
Lack of Appetite is Common with Alzheimer’s or Dementia
Because cognitive illnesses affect how the brain functions, sometimes seniors aren’t able to share how they’re feeling and what is happening. It’s a lot easier for them to experience difficulties like forgetting to eat or drink. And if they’re not getting cues from their bodies that they are thirsty or hungry, they’re less likely to reach for anything. Finding a solution is critical because health can be affected rapidly.
Ensuring Proper Nutrition for Alzheimer’s Patients
All seniors need to eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of fluids, of course, but how can families make sure that seniors with dementia are getting what they need? Monitoring food and water intake is really helpful and it’s easy to do with a food diary. Home care providers can help families to keep track of these details, ensuring that everyone is on the same page. Encouraging snacks and making water easily available can also help quite a lot.
Adapting Food Textures and Flavors
For some dementia patients, diminished appetite is one part of the problem. The other part of the problem can be changes in how they experience food textures, flavors, and even their ability to chew and swallow food. Adapting foods to make them easier to eat or more interesting is really important. Alzheimer’s care providers can help seniors by offering finger foods that don’t need to be eaten with utensils, for instance, and they can puree foods to make them easier to eat. There’s an element of trial and error involved, and Alzheimer’s care providers have experience figuring out these challenges.
Setting the Scene for Eating
The environment makes a big difference, too. Seniors with dementia often get easily distracted, so taking steps like turning off the television and reducing excess noise can help a lot. Decluttering eating areas helps seniors to focus on what they’re there to do, which is eat. Also, many people with dementia still experience eating as a social event and have trouble eating if they’re alone. Elder care providers can sit with them, keeping them company and reminding them to eat and drink plenty of fluids.
Managing a lack of appetite in patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease is a lot easier with the right help. Alzheimer’s care providers can help families to find the right combination of solutions that work for the seniors they love. This can reduce the risk of seniors developing health issues related to not eating or drinking enough.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Alzheimer’s Home Care in Huntington, NY, please contact the caring staff at Help at Home today at (631) 859-3435
Help at Home is a top provider of home care services in Islip, Babylon, Huntington, Smithtown, Brookhaven, Hempstead & Oyster Bay, and surrounding areas on Long Island & NYC. We serve Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties.
Whether you or a loved one is recuperating from an illness or a senior requiring care, we can help. Help at Home is committed to providing quality home care at affordable rates. Helping a patient remain in the comfort and security of their home is our goal. We are the best alternative to nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Help at Home caregivers
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