how a person centred approach can help people with dementia to eat
For many people with dementia, the changes that are experienced as dementia progresses can have an impact on the whole mealtime experience.
These changes can result in weight loss, undernutrition and dehydration, [ or even weight gain.
The more we know about a person with dementia, the easier it is to meet their nutritional needs.
A person with dementia may not be comfortable eating with other people or in an unfamiliar environment. They may have difficulty eating food and this can only make feelings of embarrassment worse if they are sitting with others. As a result, they may
leave food uneaten.
Allow a person to sit and eat in a place where they feel comfortable, either at a table or perhaps sitting with a tray on their lap on a comfortable chair.
or a person with dementia a noisy environment can be confusing: it can make it difficult to concentrate and focus. So if you had dementia and you were in that noisy restaurant you may have just got up from the table and walked out as the music, conversation and waiter were all competing for your attention.
We need to be aware that people with dementia may struggle to concentrate at mealtimes if there are other distractions. The eating environment needs to be calm and relaxed. Switch off the television or turn down loud music to avoid distractions. ]
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selymi|Points 7512|
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Asked 2/20/2012 12:47:01 PM
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