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4 Tips to Encourage Seniors with Alzheimer's to Eat

Author: Debbie Waddell
by Debbie Waddell
Posted: Jan 15, 2018

Generally, Alzheimer's care focuses on mental issues, but this neurodegenerative disorder can also cause other health conditions. Seniors with Alzheimer's often feel weak due to not eating properly. Staying well fed and getting the right nutrients keep the brain active and healthy and also slow the progress of Alzheimer's. Experts at Folsom home care agency share some tips to help your loved one with Alzheimer's eat regularly.

1. Eat Together

People with Alzheimer's often need an example to follow. Seniors generally eating with their loved ones and they also feel hungrier when someone is eating around them. Make time to enjoy meals with your loved one. Encourage your loved one to try the dish you have made and avoid distracting him or her.

2. Provide Visually Appealing Meals

Red and yellow colors can stimulate hunger, while black and blur may stop hunger. Get the plates in these bright colors for your loved one. The human brain is found to encourage hunger when it sees the red color. This is the reason many restaurants have a red interior. This small psychological trick can encourage your loved one to eat up to 25 percent more food during a mealtime. Moreover, consider serving meals that look tempting and are nicely arranged on a plate. Seniors with Alzheimer's are found to be very visual, so there are higher chances that your loved one will eat something that looks good.

3. Serve Smaller Portions

This may seem counterintuitive, but serving less food can encourage seniors to eat more. Don’t force your loved one to eat big meals, instead, offer small amounts of meals throughout the day. This process may take some time and patience to get your loved one to eat enough. It can be quite effective in the long run if you are willing to give a little extra time.

If your loved one with Alzheimer's need help with healthy meal preparation and other daily activities, consider hiring live-in home care, Folsom families can count on.

4. Make Favorite and Familiar Foods

Many aging adults with Alzheimer's avoid things that they don’t recognize. It may not be a good idea to introduce your loved one to something new like quinoa salads or kale smoothies. Make sure to include at least one of your loved one’s favorite items during every meal. This way, he or she will get at least enough calories, even if it isn’t the healthiest option. You can also try altering recipes slightly to add more healthy items, like pureed vegetable can be added in spaghetti sauce or pancakes can be topped with fruits.

Running errands while simultaneously managing the symptoms of a chronic disease can difficult for older adults. For seniors living in Folsom, Home Care can be a great boon for managing daily life activities and reaching overall health goals without leaving the comfort of home.

About the Author

I am Debbie Waddell with Excellent skills of Academic Writing and health care. I am associated with Home Care Assistance Folsom is a USA based organization with the best home care and Home Care Assistance of Folsom you can find in the area.

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Author: Debbie Waddell

Debbie Waddell

Member since: Dec 21, 2017
Published articles: 2

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