Excellent Dementia Care in Hospitals by jo James

Author:jo James
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781784503727
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Published: 2017-03-03T16:00:00+00:00

REDUCED ORAL INTAKE IN HOSPITAL

Like Myrtle, many people with dementia experience increased cognitive and functional impairment when they are in hospital and this can exacerbate problems with eating and drinking. Table 9.1 details the issues associated with cognitive, physical and environmental factors that can lead to reduced oral intake for a patient with dementia during a hospital stay.

Table 9.1: Problems associated with poor intake in people with dementia

Cognitive

Physical

Environmental

Problems recognising/coordinating food, cutlery, crockery.

Struggling to get food or drink to their mouth.

Orientation to time – e.g. thinking it’s night time when food is being served.

Orientation to place – e.g. thinking they are in a restaurant and having no money to pay.

Unable to verbalise a dislike regarding food/drink.

Delirium or agitation reducing ability to engage at mealtimes.

Remembering to swallow/holding food in the mouth.

Trouble bringing cutlery or cup to the mouth.

Ill-fitting dentures.

Pain – reducing appetite, reducing ability to sit up/chew/swallow.

Problems visualising food, cutlery, dishes, cups and so on due to eyesight problems.

Problems ordering food due to expressive or auditory difficulties.

Unfamiliar surroundings.

Environment being too hot and too dry.

Being in bed for long periods – reducing appetite, increasing drowsiness.

Bad lighting.

Loud, busy ward.

Rushed mealtimes.

Having to wait to be assisted.

Spending mealtimes alone.

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