Two of the first senses affected by Alzheimer’s seem to be vision and smell. Today we will explore how this impacts meal time.
My mom lost her sense of smell years before other symptoms appeared. This did not affect her eating habits for a long time.
Then a healthy diet flew out the window. Suddenly sweets were all she wanted to eat. This was so strange because the same thing happend with my grandmother. My aunts would take candy to my grandmother. My mom would find the sweets and hide them. Her sisters would find them and then hide them somewhere else. They would take them out of hiding for their mom when my mom was not around. They called my mom the sugar police. My mom was trying to give my grandmother a healthy diet. Her sisters wanted to let her have whatever she wanted since she was not diabetic.
Who was right? I think both were. A time comes when you continuously make adjustments finding what they will eat and strive to find a balance. Mom loved peanut butter pies. I jumped on making them in bulk and freezing them for later. This was a way I could reduce the sugar and add more peanut butter. The cream cheese and peanut butter were adding protein. You keep trying until you find what works. You can slyly be the sugar police.
Later in the end stage of the disease mom was limited to pureed food and thickened liquids. She would often close her eyes when we tried to feed her. I noticed that she barely stuck her tongue out to touch the spoon. If it tasted sweet, she would open her mouth. If it was not, she refused to open her mouth.
I had an aha moment and asked that yogurt or softened ice cream always be with her tray. Many mouthfuls of beef stew, green beans and other items were dipped into the yogurt or ice cream. Don’t laugh. It worked.
When vision changes and a table is too busy with patterns or color, they have trouble distinguishing what is their food and get confused.
The images above will help you understand a little better. Vanilla ice cream fades into the white dish. Mixed colors and patterns can bring frustration. Most of us love presentation and a beautifully set table. Those with dementia do not. Look at the floral plate carefully. The flowers look very similar to cookies. Imagine trying to pick the cookie up. This could set off a tirade. No one wants a food fight. Imagine blueberries in a blue bowl or green plate with turnip greens, broccolli and asparagus. It would all blend when they looked at it.
Keep in mind that they may not always recognize what is food and what is not. Once we were at a Christmas party in a skilled nursing facility. Last minute guests arrived and handed gifts out to each resident. The gifts were bottles of shower gel. I warned my husband to help me watch the residents because the staff had their hands full. My husband leapt to his feet just in time to grab a bottle before a woman turned it up to drink! The gift givers had no idea that a pretty bottle could mean something good to drink.
When it comes to food, keep things simple. On a white plate for breakfast you could have bacon, eggs and strawberries. Each could easily be seen. They may be calmer and eat more.
You can use essential oils such as citrus to stimulate their appetite. Play calm music softly in the background. Create a peaceful atmosphere and do not rush through the meal. Avoid large family gatherings when you notice that the stimulation is too much.
You will reach a point that using silverware is a challenge. Cut their meat before presenting their meal. If they have essential tremors or tremors from Parkinson’s Disease, you can find weighted silverware that helps stablize their hands.
When using silverware is not feasible, offer finger foods. Cut sandwiches into quarters. Other suggestions include fruit, vegetables and maybe a dip to make it more enjoyable. As I stated earlier, you will make adjustments as the disease progresses.
Just in case you are feeling the weight of how things will change, I have included a cool finger food idea. Yes, this is a child; however, if it gets healthy food down, go for it.
You will need to educate yourself about pureed food and thickened liquids in case you need to know about it later. People with Alzheimer’s can develop swallow issues in the last stages. I will try to expand on this in a later post.
Amazon has some weighted silverware. I have also found scarfs that snap in the front and act as bibs. These are beautiful and help preserve a little dignity. Amazon and etsy sell these but if you sew, they can easily be made. Print a card for dining out to hand your server explaining that your loved one has cognitive decline and you will order for them. This saves awkward and embarassing moments for all involved.
Since we are talking about meals, I have a kitchen tip. Place a placemat or piece of cardboard over your drawer that has knives. They will not look underneath by the time it is dangerous for them to safely use knives. If you find it necessary to unplug your stove, an electrician can install a switch out of their sight.
I smell my dinner now and it smells wonderful so I am wrapping this post up with a thankfulness for having an intact sense of smell.
Don’t get discouraged! You have got this under control. Together we an be the best caregivers ever.
Word for Today
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Song for Today
Prayer for Today
Dear God,
I get caught up in worrying and fretting while being a caregiver. Guide my steps and give me wisdom to face the task at hand. Help me to remember that gracious words are sweet to my soul and healing to my bones and the loved one I care for.
Help me to accept that changes will come and as I grieve during the process and I know you will catch my tears and hold me in the palm of your hand.
Amen
Walking Them Home 