AMY PACKER
GHILLIE: FOOD FOR THOUGHT
to eat, so she made sure these were ys available. “Mum loved cheeses, olives and mezze-style dishes – le, tasty food that went well with her es of wine. wasn’t aiming for a meal structure. s more important to know she was ng enough to eat and drink – the of day didn’t matter. he would even get up in the middle e night and have a snack.” entually Ghillie had to organise live-in care as she needed to return to work to support her family. “One carer was a good cook, so she made sure my mother was well-fed, but I usually had to organise food where the others were concerned,” she says. “I’d prepare the meals, and they’d heat and serve them.”
The years spent caring for her mother – in particular finding meals she could eat and enjoy – have given Ghillie a better understanding of the nutritional needs of those with dementia. She always seen a lot of each other
Bill and Frances would love to entertain believes that common sense and a creative approach can help.
“The key is to choose foods that are easy to eat but full of nutrition,” she explains. “Finger foods can give back some control in eating, especially when cutlery is no longer so easy to manage.
“Brightly coloured food worked with my mother because she had always enjoyed exotic foods.”
Ghillie also believes in making mealtimes as pleasant as possible, which can give carers a chance to relax as well. “Sitting down and chatting over food is better for everyone than stressing about every mouthful,” she says.
“People with dementia often revert to the favourite foods of their childhood, as well as finding creamy, smooth foods and sweet things enjoyable. This is especially true if they’re having difficulty chewing.
“Things that melt in the mouth and slip advice on feeding dementia patients down the throat easily – soft mashes, custards and stews – are best.
“It’s worth trying different foods to find out what they still have an interest in. Maybe they’ll have a great liking for something they denied themselves as an adult and, while you wouldn’t want them living on cakes and biscuits, a little treat can help keep calories up.”
The time spent feeding her mother taught Ghillie that creating a healthy diet for people with dementia needn’t be complicated. “Keep portions small, and try not to get stressed,” Ghillie advises. “I wouldn’t stop someone eating pudding if they haven’t eaten their main meal, but I’ve seen carers treat my mother like a naughty little girl if she tucked into her dessert first.
“Instead, I’d put one dish on the table at a time and work out what food they like best and what they need encouragement
Picture: WILDERNESSSCOTLAND.COM
Depression, disliking some foods, a sore mouth, inactivity or constipation – working out the problem can take time. Try small amounts often and be flexible. Porridge for dinner is fine, as is a middle-of-the-night snack.
I know dehydration can be a problem when people have dementia, though that isn’t an issue as mum drinks a lot of coffee and wine, though I have made sure the wine was diluted as time went on.
If your relative is struggling to take in enough fluid, try ice lollies, smoothies or hot chocolate.
Turn off the TV, keep table settings simple, use plain plates and keep portions small. Let them help if they can, and eat together. Chatting about favourite foods can encourage people to tuck in.
If you’re tense, you physically can’t swallow, so don’t let food become a battleground.
Put a plate with easy-to-hold snacks close by – cubes of cheese, cherry tomatoes, cucumber sticks, mini sandwiches and tiny slices of quiche.
Dementia
UK is a charity committed to improving quality of life for all people affected by the disease. Call the helpline on 0800 888 6678 or visit dementiauk.org for information and advice. with. It can be lovely to share meals, and if the person you’re caring for wants to help prepare the food, be patient and let them. “Concentrate on them and chat to them as you eat. You’re more likely to get someone with dementia to eat if you’re relaxed and eating with them.” When, three years ago, it was finally time for Frances to go into a care home, Ghillie struggled. “It’s hard to accept that I’m not caring for her and feeding her the food she loves, but the main thing is that she’s being well looked after, she’s comfortable and well-nourished. “Since she went there, mum has developed a taste for sweet foods – chocolate cake and biscuits – that she would never have had before,” says Ghillie. “Food is also a wonderful way to connect with someone with dementia, and I’m so happy that mum will still eat little tastes of some of the things I take in to her when I visit.”
‘‘
Sitting down and chatting over food is better than stressing over each mouthful