The onset of dementia can cause a host of dining difficulties. Your loved one may experience a significant loss of appetite, resulting in a loss of nutrition. Memory loss may also impair their ability to chew, swallow, and taste certain foods, leading to an aversion to mealtimes. These changes in dining habits are understandably upsetting for the senior resident and their family members.
Fortunately, Memory Care dining is designed to be a safe and stress-free experience in many Grand Bay, AL communities, complete with respectful meal assistance practices. Continue reading to know more about Grand Bay, AL Memory Care dining.
Person-focused Dining
The eating habits of residents in Memory Care can vary greatly. A busy mealtime environment may easily distract some residents. Others may crave only certain foods due to a subconsciously associated memory with that food. Another resident may have difficulty chewing and swallowing, necessitating targeted assistance and a change in meal plans.
As a result, many communities try to understand each resident’s meal behaviors and habits by involving them and their family members in meal planning. They may design a carefully planned mealtime routine or a weekly meal plan that helps them successfully ingest food, enjoy it and get the nutrition they need.
Dignified Dining
Dementia is a debilitating disorder that robs your loved ones of their dignity and ability to perform daily tasks. One of them could be eating meals. Senior care communities are known for providing respectful care during mealtimes, which helps restore dignity and gives residents a sense of control. There are many ways to do this.
Communities ensure consistent meal routines to foster a familiar dining environment. They may also provide specially prepared meals (such as purees and bite-sized food items) to encourage residents — particularly those in the early stages of dementia — to eat independently. Those who require dining assistance are served meals by sitting with them at eye level, engaging in soothing conversations and paying attention to physical cues to inspire comfort during the meal.
This kind of gentle support goes a long way toward maintaining stable moods during mealtimes and restoring dignity.
A Positive Dining Atmosphere
Senior care communities encourage a family-like atmosphere at mealtimes to foster a sense of belonging and comfort. Having said that, team members ensure that the emphasis is on the food and that residents do not feel overwhelmed while dining. Small tables of four may be used instead of large ones to create a calming environment without making residents feel isolated.
Nutritional Meals
Food preferences of loved ones suffering from dementia can change rapidly and unexpectedly. They may suddenly lose their appetite or develop a craving for unhealthy foods. Trained members of a senior community’s culinary team are well aware of such abrupt changes and take them into account when preparing a meal.
Meals are thus designed with nutritional needs, dietary preferences, taste quality and potential medication side effects in mind. The result is a wholesome, well-rounded meal designed to improve the quality of life for your loved one. Many communities also provide three balanced meals per day, as well as between-meal snacks, to ensure optimal nutrition.
