(HealthDay News) -- Caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease often includes helping with all daily activities, including eating.
Here are suggestions to help make mealtime easier, courtesy of the Alzheimer's Association:
- Set aside at least an hour for each meal. Don't rush the person through it.
- Make sure the person is seated comfortably, but upright. Keep the person sitting upright for at least 30 minutes after eating.
- Prepare soft foods that are easy to chew and swallow. Eating may become very difficult, so food may need to be mashed or pureed.
- To reduce the risk of choking, thicken drinks with gelatin or cornstarch.
- Understand that a person may be more prone to choking as Alzheimer's progresses. Get training on using the Heimlich maneuver.
- Since significant weight loss could be a sign of malnutrition, contact a doctor to have weight loss evaluated.
