People who suffer from dementia often will have a number of eating and drinking problems. It is very important, of course, for someone in this condition to continue to eat a healthy diet; it can help to keep their physical and mental condition as good for as long as possible.

Eating and drinking properly is very important as people begin to suffer from dementia. Even though they are suffering from Alzheimer’s, a healthy diet still will improve their life quality. If the patient does not eat enough, this can lead to loss of weight and many health problems, such as:

  • More vulnerability to illness and infection
  • Less muscle strength
  • Weakened bones
  • More fatigue and less energy

People who have dementia can begin to suffer from dehydration if they are having problems communicating, or if they forget to drink liquids. This can cause numerous problems:

  • More confusion
  • Headaches
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Constipation

Loss of Weight

One of the most common side effects of dementia is a loss of weight, although the reasons for this can vary. They can include loss of appetite, problems with cooking, difficulty in communicating, lack of coordination (which can be helped with Alzheimer’s aids), tiring faster and problems with chewing and swallowing.

The patient may also have a lack of appetite that accompanies their disease, which can be caused by many things:

  • Depression – This is quite common in people whose mental acuity is declining. They may be aware of the changes in their mind and this can cause them to feel down. There are drugs available that can help to deal with this problem.
  • Inability to communicate – The person with Alzheimer’s may not be able to communicate to others that they want to eat. Or they may not be able to say that they do not like the food. In this case, you may want to provide choices of food, or present pictures of food for them to point to.
  • Pain – The patient may have a good deal of pain, which can make eating unpleasant. This could be problems with teeth, gums or dentures.
  • Fatigue: People with little energy may not want to eat because it tires them. In this case, the patient should eat small amounts of food several times per day.

Alzheimer’s Dining Aid Products

Some Alzheimer’s supplies that can help with dining and eating:

  • Food bumpers: This item can be clipped onto any plate, and will make it easier for the patient to scoop food onto the fork or spoon.
  • Bendable eating utensils: This is a great solution for people who have poor range of motion or weak arms and hands. The shaft of this product can be bent in any direction so that it is most comfortable for the patient.
  • Plate guard: This plate guard is made of strong plastic and provides a barrier that the patient can use on their plate. It makes it much easier for the patient to eat.