Lesson 2. Eating, drinking and preventing health problems

Improve eating and prevent weight loss

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Lesson 2. Eating, drinking and preventing health problems

Improve eating and prevent weight loss

Improve eating and prevent weight loss

In the late stages of dementia, a person living with dementia may experience difficulty chewing and swallowing. Reduced abilities to smell, taste and see may also happen due to ageing and dementia. These can have a negative impact on the person’s health. Depression and changes in eating patterns may also impair eating and digestion.

Let’s look at an example

Salma has been living with dementia for 9 years and is cared for by her daughter, Noof. Recently, Noof notices that her mother sleeps during the day and is very difficult to wake and assist with her meals during the normal mealtimes. Noof believes that her mother is not hungry and does not want to disturb her sleep. A recent check-up showed that Salma has lost 2.5 kg since the last check-up 5 weeks ago (5% of her body weight).

1. Check your understanding

How to improve eating and prevent Weight loss.

What would you advise Noof to do to improve Salma’s eating?
Please select all the responses that you feel are appropriate.

Be flexible to have meals when her mother is awake.
This is a good response. People in late stages of dementia need rest, so flexibility in planning meals will be very helpful when they are sleeping during normal mealtimes.

In a diary, keep a record of what and how often her mother eats.
This is a good response. Recording what people with dementia eat is important. This way, carers will better understand when and what kind of food is needed for sufficient food intake.

Ensure Salma has access to foods she enjoys eating.
This is a good response. What foods did she enjoy eating before her diagnosis of dementia? What foods does she seem to enjoy now?

Hamad Medical Corporation

HMC is the principal public healthcare provider in the State of Qatar, delivering the safest, most effective and most compassionate care to each and every one of our patients.

Hamad Medical Corporation
PO Box 3050

(+974) 4439 5777
Doha, Qatar

contactus@hamad.qa

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Lesson 2. Eating, drinking and preventing health problems

Improve eating and prevent weight loss

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