Practical Nutrition and Hydration for Dementia-Friendly Mealtimes by Lee Martin

Author:Lee Martin
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
ISBN: 9781784502218
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Published: 2018-12-09T16:00:00+00:00

3. Eats (or drinks) too fast

• IMPORTANT NOTICE: If the speed of eating is thought to compromise someone’s safety (i.e. you witness signs of aspiration or choking) when eating or drinking, liaise with a speech and language pathologist/therapist (SLP/SLT) immediately.

• Provide cueing:

– Use verbal cues to prompt the individual to slow down. Reassure the person that there is plenty of food available and it will not run out.

– Manually show slower eating behaviours and techniques; for example encourage the person to completely finish each mouthful before preparing the next mouthful, or put cutlery down after each mouthful.

– Try offering food and fluid in small portions and cut food into small pieces.

• Modify tableware:

– Try providing smaller cutlery items so less food can be placed on the cutlery at one time.

• Increase socialisation:

– Try eating your meal with the person. Eating with company can enhance mealtime abilities owing to social interaction and taking cues to eat from others. In addition you can help keep their focus on the meal and provide appropriate assistance if required to help maintain food intake. It can also help carers become more aware of individuals’ likes, dislikes and preferences.

• Adjust environment:

– Introduce relaxing music to suit the individual’s preferences as this can improve meal behaviours. Be aware of other negative environmental influences (over- or understimulation, auditory or visual confusion, institutional appearance) and adjust as required.

• CARE HOME SPECIFIC: Consider seating arrangements:

– Sit the person with a friend or someone they have an affinity with to enhance social interaction, which may improve abilities. Or if already doing this sit them with someone who has maintained eating abilities as this may help the person continue to feed themselves by taking cues from others.

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