Fact 15. Changes in Appetite and Eating Habits: Dementia’s Complex Palette
Lastly, a significant behavioral change associated with dementia that is often overlooked relates to appetite and eating habits. You might notice a loved one forgetting to eat, eating at odd hours, or displaying a sudden dislike for familiar foods.
Several factors contribute to these changes. Memory loss can lead to forgotten meals, while diminished senses may make food less appealing. In later stages, people might even forget how to chew or swallow, leading to serious health risks.
Caregivers can manage these changes by maintaining regular meal times, offering healthy snacks between meals, and ensuring food is easy to eat. Making mealtime a social activity can also stimulate appetite and make eating more enjoyable.
While these changes can be disconcerting, they offer yet another opportunity to provide nurturing care for those on the dementia journey. By offering favorite foods, presenting meals in a visually appealing way, and making the dining experience social and enjoyable, we can help ensure the person with dementia receives necessary nutrition, promoting their overall health and wellbeing. In every challenge lies an opportunity to provide compassionate care and uphold the dignity of the individual. In this way, even dining can become an act of love and caring. (15)
