How to get a Patient with Dementia to eat more

Alzheimer's and dementia patients sometimes lose interest in eating. This can happen for a long list of reasons including loss of taste, the ability to smell, memory loss, and thinking they already ate.

Here go the author’s tips:

"1. The First Question I Always Ask is - What Color are Your Plates?

In a study conducted at Boston University researchers found that patients eating from red plates consumed 25 percent more food than those eating from white plates. Before you go, let me ask you this simple question? Are you sure an Alzheimer's patient can see the food on the plate? Meaning, see it is a way that you and I do, and then eat it.

2. Make eye contact while eating.

Sit directly in front of your loved one living with dementia and make eye contact while eating.

Smile and wait for them to smile back at you.

Be patient are the key words here. You might have to do this for a while before it starts working. Remember, you are trying to break a bad pattern and replace with a good pattern.

Here are some additional eating tips for dementia patients.

1. Utensils. At some point your patient might have problems using forks, knives, spoons, etc. If so, consider trying finger food. Chicken strips, fish stick, hamburgers, and even shrimp fall into this category.
2. Arrange the food on the plate. If the patient is having trouble eating, less food (portion size), and less items.
3. Praise the food.
4. Eat small all day long. I would give Dotty six potato chips at a time. If you can get your loved one to eat a small amount, several times during the day, that might help".