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