HOW FOOD CAN HELP WITH DEMENTIA SYMPTOMS
Swallowing difficulties
Dementia patients often lose the sensory stimulation in the back of the mouth that reminds you to swallow. “It’s really horrible and distressing,” says Jane. “I’ve started to notice now with my dad that he sometimes starts to choke, even with water. It’s a cruel disease, so undignified.
“A glass of water is the worse thing, because a thin liquid is far harder to swallow, so you need to engage the muscles. Just putting a bit of elderflower in a glass of water can stimulate the swallowing reflex and mean they’ll rehydrate. When it comes to swallowing solids, Jane suggests sandwiches made with bread soaked in a little olive oil to make them go down easier. Using herbs, spices and citrus in the filling will help trigger the swallowing reflex. “It’s my little shortcut,” she says.
Bowel problems
One of the most distressing sideeffects of dementia medication can be constipation and diarrhoea. Someone with dementia may not be able to articulate that they are suffering from either of these degrading symptoms, and may stop eating and drinking as a result.
“It could be as simple as encouraging them to drink a cup of coffee, or making a little cake packed with fibre to get the bowels moving if they’re constipated, or making some stewed apple, which can be very settling on the gut because it contains pectin and is great for antinausea, which many dementia patients suffer from because of their medication.”
Stress
Sitting down to eat can be very stressful for dementia sufferers. If you are sharing a meal together, Jane suggests it’s important to minimise distractions so that they can focus on swallowing. Don’t attempt to hurry things along, either. “We juggle so many tasks when caring for someone that it can be tempting to hurry meals, which only increases the likelihood of upset, and for very little food to get eaten.
“If a meal is becoming challenging, it can help to step back for a minute, to find a moment of quiet.
“With us, we’re a musical family, so if things are getting stressful, we’ll put on some music and have a boogie with dad, which triggers endorphins in the brain, after which he’s fine again.”
Memory loss
It is one of the most upsetting things about the disease, but there are ways to stimulate memory through food, as often our most treasured memories of birthdays or holidays are linked to eating. “For me, childhood summer holidays are rekindled as soon as I think about knickerbocker glories and eating fish and chips out of the newspaper on the North Wales coast, while my treasured aunt and uncle sang with the choir on the seafront,” says Jane.
“A personal food mood board made out of photos of favourite dishes, people and places can be a great way to communicate and also stimulate a jaded appetite,” she adds.