| Tips To Help Maintain Food InTake | | | | |
| | | | 2. Have five or six smaller meals, |
| Consuming an adequate diet is necessary to | | | | rather than only two or three larger meals. |
| obtain nutrients and to help individuals stay | | | | |
| healthy. The following tips are suggestions | | | | 3. Take a daily walk or have other |
| that have worked for some Alzheimer patients. | | | | physical activity to increase appetite. |
| However, each patient is different; the | | | | |
| caregiver will need to determine what may | | | | 4. Use familiar foods fixed in a |
| work for a particular patient. Caregivers | | | | familiar way. |
| need to understand the progressive nature of | | | | |
| this disease; solutions that work today may | | | | 5. If the patient simply refuses to eat |
| not necessarily work in the future. | | | | a balanced diet or is not consuming enough |
| | | | calories, consult with the attending |
| Many of the physical, emotional, and social | | | | physician about using vitaÂmin and/or |
| changes that occur with aging can cause may | | | | mineral supplements. |
| people to lose their appetite as they grow | | | | |
| older. Not of these problems can be | | | | 6. Try to include at least one food item |
| corrected, but interest in eating a | | | | in the meal you know the patient likes. |
| well-balanced nutritious diet must be | | | | |
| maintained. Nutritional needs do not decrease | | | | Tips To Overcome Mealtime Confusion - |
| as individuals grow older, except for a | | | | |
| reduction in the amount of calories needed. A | | | | 1. Make mealtime a routine that |
| well-balanced nutritious diet can be the best | | | | occurs at the same time, in the same place, |
| defense an individual has for staying healthy | | | | and with as little confusion as possible. |
| and preventing illness. The following | | | | |
| suggestions may help increase interest and | | | | 2. Make sure physical surroundings |
| food intake for older persons who have | | | | are pleasant and calm, avoiding unnecessary |
| decrease in appetites. | | | | distractions. |
| | | | |
| Tips To Increase Appetite - | | | | 3. Set aside ample time for meals |
| | | | so they are not rushed. |
| 1. Have the main meal of the day at | | | | |
| breakfast or lunch when appetite is larger, | | | | 4. Serving one food item at a time |
| keeping the dinner meal smaller . | | | | may result in less confusion. |