Dementia may affect eating and drinking in many ways, such as:
- Loss of appetite, weight loss and increased risk of malnutrition
- Difficulty recognising or communicating hunger or thirst
- Struggling with shopping, cooking and meal preparation
- Challenges with self-feeding, chewing and swallowing
- Fatigue, low mood and feelings of anxiety
- Sensory changes and changes in taste or food preferences
- Wandering at meal times
What can be done to support eating and drinking?
(Please click on the following links)
Help create a RELAXED and PLEASANT meal environment
Consider offering ‘Finger Foods’ for those who WANDER AT MEALTIMES or struggle to use cutlery
Start ‘Food First and Homemade Nourishing Drinks’ for those with a POOR APPETITE and LOSING WEIGHT
The information on these webpages is not suitable for individuals with diabetes, following a renal diet or those with a lactose intolerance or a milk protein allergy. For individuals requiring a texture modified diet, follow guidelines which have been recommended by their Speech and Language Therapist.
Additional resources for further support
(please click on the images)
Message in a Bottle Scheme
Scheme encouraging key details to be stored at home and easily available to emergency services.
Herbert Protocol is a form that carers, family or friends of a vulnerable person can fill in and store at home. It contains a list of information to help the police if the person goes missing.
Scheme supporting hospital care for people with dementia.
Tool informing healthcare staff of the needs of someone with dementia.
