Page 74 - Dementia-Care-Specialist-Toolkit

Caregiver Tip Sheets

Eating & Drinking

Some people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias have
problems with eating and drinking. This may cause illness or
weakness, and it can make confusion worse.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

KEEP IT SIMPLE
• do things the same way at every meal
• serve meals in a familiar, quiet place
• eat with them so that they see you eat, too
WHY DOES • make the plate a different color than the table
THIS HAPPEN? • use solid colors – not patterns
• don’t offer too many food choices
People with Alzheimer’s
or dementia might: SUPPORT THEM

• forget that they have • make meals peaceful and slow
eaten • don’t worry about spills and messes – they happen!
• use no-spill cups or straws
• forget to ask for water
or food MAKE EATING EASY

• get confused if there are • feed them when they are sitting up
too many choices • try serving 5-6 small meals
• forget how to use forks, • try foods they can pick up with their fingers
spoons, knives • don’t use very hot or very cold foods

• get confused if there is SPEAK WITH A DOCTOR IF:
too much noise
• they suddenly become more confused
In the later stages of the • they choke often
disease they may: • they keep losing weight

• feel like they are choking

• become messy
• lose interest in eating

844.HELP. ALZ
AlzheimersLA.org
© 2019 Alzheimer’s Los Angeles
Supported by DHHS, ACL (#90ADPI0024-01-00)

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