Alzheimer’s changes every part of the way that your senior parent lives, including their appetite and how they eat. As Alzheimer’s progresses, it can be difficult to make sure that your senior parent is getting enough calories each day and eating the nutritious foods they need to stay physically healthy.
Often, seniors who have Alzheimer’s will forget to eat. Having Alzheimer’s home care is a fantastic way to ensure that your senior parent eats meals regularly every day, or at least gets nutritious snacks. A caregiver trained in Alzheimer’s home care knows how to work with your senior parent’s symptoms to make food more appealing and convince them to eat regularly.
Some of the ways that Alzheimer’s can affect your senior parent’s appetite and diet are:
Food Textures Feel Unpleasant
As Alzheimer’s progresses, some seniors become sensitive to the texture of food. They might find certain foods too hard to chew or too dry, making them uncomfortable to eat.
Foods that were once enjoyable, like meat or crunchy vegetables, may feel strange or difficult to swallow. This can cause frustration and make them avoid eating altogether. Softer foods like mashed potatoes, yogurt, and soups can be more appealing to your senior parent as Alzheimer’s progresses.
They Can’t Taste Food as Well
Alzheimer’s can affect the senses, including taste. Over time, food may start to seem bland or flavorless. Since eating is less enjoyable when food doesn’t taste good, seniors may lose interest in meals.
To help with this, caregivers can try adding more seasoning, like mild spices or herbs, to make food more appealing. Stronger flavors, such as citrus, garlic, or cinnamon, may also increase your senior parent’s interest in food.
Food Tastes Different
Not only can Alzheimer’s weaken the sense of taste, but it can also change how the brain interprets flavors. Foods that once tasted sweet might now seem sour or bitter. Your senior parent who used to love coffee may suddenly say it tastes bad.
These changes can cause confusion and make them refuse foods they once enjoyed. Trying different foods or adjusting recipes to match their new preferences can help them eat more regularly.
They Forget How to Eat
In later stages of Alzheimer’s, some seniors may forget how to eat or lose interest in food altogether. They might not recognize the food in front of them or forget what they’re supposed to do with utensils.
Sometimes, they need reminders to chew and swallow. Alzheimer’s home care providers can help by offering finger foods, cutting food into small pieces, or using gentle cues to guide them through meals.
They May Be Distracted or Confused
Alzheimer’s can make it hard for seniors to focus, even on something as simple as eating. A noisy environment, bright lights, or too many things on the table may overwhelm them and make them stop eating.
They may also become confused about mealtime, thinking they have already eaten or believing their food is not theirs. Alzheimer’s home care professionals can create a quiet, calm space for meals and serve food in a simple, familiar way, which can help them feel more comfortable and willing to eat.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Alzheimer’s Home Care in Kensington, CT, please contact the caring staff at Talem Home Care & Placement Services of Hartford, CT, today. Call (860) 969-3134
At Talem Home Care & Placement Services of Fort Hartford CT, we provide passionate, understanding, and flexible caregivers in Hartford, Avon, Berlin, Bloomfield, Cromwell, East Hartford, Farmington, Glastonbury, Kensington, Manchester, Middletown, New Britain, Newington, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, South Windsor, Wethersfield, Windsor and surrounding areas in Connecticut.
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