Diet gun

Many people with dementia lose interest in food, some may eat too much, others eat too often and others may forget that they have eaten recently or may worry about when their next meal will be.

Stopping eating

It is quite common in dementia to lose interest in food resulting in refusing to eat or spitting up our food, becoming angry or behaving in a defiant manner during meals.

If we do not consume the food we need it will lead to weight loss, catatonia and muscle weakness. As this continues then we will become less able to recover from infections.

Usually depression, fatigue, pain, difficulty in communication, physical activity, medications and physical difficulties such as constipation are responsible for losing interest in food.

Depression

Loss of appetite can be a sign of depression and is a common phenomenon in dementia. Taking medication from a neurologist will help a lot.

Fatigue

Fatigue can lead to loss of appetite or partial consumption of the offered meal. Fatigue can also create concentration or coordination problems.

Pain

Pain, e.g. from problems with his dentures, will create anorexia. A visit to the dentist is essential.

Communication

Difficulty in communicating, e.g. that he is hungry, that he does not like the food, that he is not sure what to do with the food will result in refusal to eat. Choosing food or using hints and images of the chewing and swallowing process will help.

Physical activity

If there is no activity during the day, it is logical that there is some form of anorexia. If there is a lot of mobility, he will consume more calories and may be hungrier or lose weight faster.

Encouragement to increase activity will increase appetite, while there should certainly be a greater food intake if there is a lot of mobility so that weight loss and muscle weakness do not begin.

Medications

Possible changes in medication or dosage affect appetite. A doctor’s advice is necessary if anorexia or an excessive increase in appetite is observed.

Constipation

Increasing fiber will help reduce constipation, resulting in increased appetite. When we feel bloated due to constipation, it is logical to have anorexia.

Tips for Increasing Appetite

1. Do NOT overload the plate with too much food. Small, regular portions often work best.

2. Give the person the food they like.

Their preferences are likely to change as dementia progresses.

3. Use different flavors, colors, and smells in the meal.

4. Different types of food at different temperatures and textures will help. Variety is important in increasing appetite.

5. Do NOT prevent dessert because the main meal has not been eaten sufficiently. The preference for sweet flavors may be greater than savory flavors at this time.

6. Do NOT stop the meal and clear the table because the person has stopped eating.

Give them time with reminders to eat and remind them what the food is.

7. We do NOT force food intake if we see the patient agitated or stressed. We wait for them to calm down and be less stressed before offering them food again.

8. If meals cannot be served at set times or at a table, then, as an alternative, we can offer finger foods and snacks. Even grilled pieces of meat or pieces of other food that are easy to hold can be given in this way.

Tips in case of Overeating

Some types of dementia can cause overeating and other changes in eating behavior as well as obsession with specific foods. Loneliness can lead to the consumption of more food, especially sweets, because endorphins are released that calm and relax us.

1. We divide the initial portion into two and offer the second if the person asks for it.

2. We fill most of the plate with vegetables.

3. We use tasty but low-calorie foods to prepare meals.

4. We offer a low-calorie drink instead of more food if more food is requested.

5. Adequate hydration is important because thirst can be confused with hunger in people with dementia.

It is not easy to deal with reduced or excessive appetite in a patient with dementia.

It is worth trying because these are our own people, our people who were once well and healthy and are now struggling with their minds, struggling with the weakening of their mental functions, their memory, their speech, their perception, their judgment.

Will we leave them alone?