If your loved one is in the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s disease, you are probably taking care of them in one way or another to help them maintain some level of independence for as long as possible. It might be at this point you live nearby and can make daily visits or you might have them move in with you.
As you have discovered, many daily tasks that most of don’t think about start to become an entire strategy to make sure they are completed successfully. Bathing, dressing, and especially eating may become more than a 15-minute activity, they may take a lot longer and be a series of obstacles to overcome. While you can take steps to make specific activities like meals go more smoothly, you will also want to consider hiring an Alzheimer’s care specialist to assist you in the process. Alzheimer’s care providers can help lighten your load of caring for your loved one so you can take care of other tasks in your life as well.
Since there are three meals a day and these meals can often take up the most time even in the best of circumstances, let’s look at five ways you can make mealtime smoother, whether you’re doing it all on your own or with the help of your Alzheimer’s care provider.
- Keep mealtimes consistent. Having consistent meal times can help an Alzheimer’s patient navigate their day and provides a sense of relief for them. An inconsistent schedule can cause anxiety and lead to behaviors that interfere with a good meal.
- Have someone eat with them. Don’t simply prepare a meal, have your loved one sit down and then walk away. Your loved one will be much more likely to enjoy her meal and complete it if you sit with her. Sitting next to her not only provides the social benefits of a meal, but it will also help you be ready to redirect if needed or help guide her in the speed of eating – whether she’s eating too quickly or slowly.
- Prepare foods she’s comfortable with. This is not the time to introduce all kinds of new menu items. Keeping meal time simple with items that she recognizes and understands how to eat will help her meal experience be more pleasant.
- Serve items one at a time. If your meal has multiple courses or items, you might want to consider serving one at a time so that your loved one can focus on enjoying that item and not become too distracted or overwhelmed by too many items on the plate. So, if lunch is soup and a sandwich, consider having her enjoy her soup first and then move on to the sandwich.
- Prepare her plate before you set it before her. Don’t wait to cut up her vegetables and meats until you set the plate before her. She may not understand why you’re now taking her food away. Instead, make sure everything is ready to be eaten as soon as it is served to her.
Once the meal has begun, encourage your loved one to eat as independently as possible and be patient with her progress. So long as she is continuing through the meal that will make the meal successful.
When caring for a senior parent with Alzheimer’s becomes a full-time job, bringing in Alzheimer’s care is the best way to ensure their continued care. An Alzheimer’s care provider can be there in increasing increments as the disease progresses, providing a consistent and comforting presence for your parent. Consider hiring Alzheimer’s care as soon as your parent receives a diagnosis, so that they can continue aging in place with support as long as possible.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s care in Argyle, TX, please contact the caring staff at Ray of Sunshine Senior Care today! (940) 310-3105
Ray of Sunshine Senior Care Provides Senior Home Care Services in Denton, Lewisville, Gainesville, Keller, Grapevine, Coppell, Carrollton, Southlake, Valley View, Aubrey, Frisco, Corinth, Argyle, Roanoke, Counties: Denton County, Tarrant County, Collin County, and surrounding areas.
At the same time, she and her husband were faced with the care of his father on the west coast which presented the unique challenges of long-distance care. These events led to a crash course in the senior care industry and her unending dedication to helping seniors and families in similar circumstances. When not working Cynthia enjoys cooking, gardening and traveling with a focus on visiting State and National Parks.
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