Lorraine Poulos

23 Mealtime Support Dementia and appetite 1 2 3 4 Know your client’s likes and dislikes: • Check care plan and be aware of allergies, diet modifications or restrictions • Understand their abilities e.g. to find snacks when hungry • Ensure stored foods are ‘in date’ and fresh Before the task: • Encourage a short walk to stimulate appetite • Chat about favourite foods and recipes • Prompt hand hygiene before meal / preparation • Look through the cupboard / pantry or fridge together • Use reminiscence to find / cook with favourite food scents (e.g. lemon, garlic, mint, parsley, toast) and arouse interest in mealtime During the task: • Make the meal a sharing experience: sit and have a drink / snack with the consumer • Use coloured plates, crockery and cups (red, deep blue or canary yellow) to help define food and drink items • Reduce clutter at table setting • Test food temperature • Enhance taste; offer condiments – one at a time (e.g. salt, pepper, honey, sauces) • Serve one course at a time • Use smaller plates if appetite is poor to reduce overwhelming sight of too much food • Encourage use of fork or fingers to maintain self-feeding • Moisten food if needed and prompt with simple words to e.g. ‘swallow now’ • After the task: Offer second helping if meal completed and weight loss is an issue After the task: • Set up nutritious snacks in clear view on kitchen table for ‘grazing’ and to reduce hunger • Observe for changed abilities or appetite Document in the Client Journal: • Document changes or concerns 5 Guide for consumers, carers and workers