Eating healthy foods on a regular schedule is really important for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease. The regular schedule helps them to keep their blood sugar as even as possible, and the healthy food choices offer plenty of nutrients. But as Alzheimer’s disease progresses, it’s more difficult for aging adults to get the nutrition they need. Alzheimer’s care providers can simplify the process quite a bit.
Try a Variety of Foods
The easiest way for any senior to get plenty of nutrients is to eat a variety of different foods. Whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables are great sources of nutrition. Eating from a “rainbow” of differently colored fruits and vegetables is a great way to get started. Home care providers help seniors with Alzheimer’s disease to eat well without having to handle a lot of that workload themselves.
Cut Back on Refined Sugar and High Sodium
Foods that are higher in sodium and refined sugars are not great options for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease. Higher sodium intake can affect blood pressure levels, which is terrible if seniors are already battling high blood pressure. Reducing refined sugars helps to reduce empty calories that don’t provide nutrition.
Try to Figure Out Appetite Changes
Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease may not be able to explain some changes they experience, especially in the later stages of Alzheimer’s. If seniors start to experience a low appetite, there is usually a reason. There may be dental issues, like pain in a tooth or ill-fitting dentures. Side effects from medication could be a problem, or they may be experiencing changes in how food smells and tastes. Alzheimer’s care providers can help families narrow down potential causes so that they can find solutions.
Offer a Calm, Comfortable Dining Experience
Distractions, noise, and discomfort all make it more difficult for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease to focus and relax. These issues are especially a problem during meals, because they can be so distracting that seniors with Alzheimer’s disease don’t eat well at all. Serving meals in a quiet setting, away from televisions and anything else that might be loud or distracting, can help.
Encourage Independence
Another factor that is easy to forget is to make it easier for seniors with Alzheimer’s to remain as independent as possible. Alzheimer’s care providers are there to help, but that can be frustrating for seniors. Serving them finger foods and using utensils that allow seniors to continue to feed themselves easily can help them feel empowered. Seniors may be more likely to actually eat the foods that they are offered, which significantly improves their ability to get the nutrition they need.
There are a lot of things that family caregivers may need to let go of when they’re trying to make sure that seniors with Alzheimer’s disease get properly nourished. Letting go of the need to make sure everything is perfect is probably the first thing to release. Alzheimer’s care providers can offer support with some of the other issues that can improve the experience for family caregivers and seniors with Alzheimer’s disease.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s Care in Denton, TX, please contact the caring staff at Arcy Healthcare today at (469) 293-1515
Providing In-Home Healthcare Services in North Texas, including Dallas, Hurst, Grapevine, Keller, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Denton, Flower Mound, Carrollton, Gainesville, and more.
My name is Jimmie Stapleton. I am the founder and CEO of Arcy Healthcare. Arcy Healthcare includes Arcy Hospice, Arcy Supportive Care, Arcy Home Health and Arcy at Home.
Arcy Hospice was opened in 2007 to provide care and support for individuals and families facing a life limiting illness. It was established after my wife Ellen, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, had completed her chemo and radiation therapies. At that time, things were looking positive, and we wanted to do something for our community that had been so supportive of our family during her treatments. Unfortunately, the cancer returned a few years later, and she subsequently passed away under our care in 2010.
In the years that followed, I began to see the need to provide the same level of excellent care to patients across the continuum of care. Therefore, we have added a home health division (Arcy Home Health), a palliative care division (Arcy Supportive Care), and a home care division, (Arcy at Home). With the addition of these divisions, we can meet most of the post-acute care needs for you and your family in your home.
I started Arcy Hospice with my wife as my motivation to provide exceptional care and support in the patient’s home, where they are surrounded by family and where they feel most comfortable. I’m proud to say that our staff provides some of the best in home care in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.
Please let us know if we can enrich the quality of life for you or a loved one.
Sincerely,
Jimmie Stapleton – Founder and CEO
Arcy Healthcare
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