According to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, dementia is a general term that describes a group of symptoms caused by the permanent damage of the brain's nerve cells called neurons1. In other words, it is a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life2. It is generally a progressive disease, meaning it gradually gets worse with time. To be considered dementia, two of the following need to be severely impaired: memory, communication and language, reasoning and judgment, and the ability to focus and pay attention2.
Dementias can be classified in several ways and are sometimes grouped by relativity, such as what part of the brain is affected, or whether they worsen over time3. Another way to classify dementias is …show more content…
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is crucial in maintaining physical and mental wellbeing. Most AD patients are not able to eat enough to maintain their weight or energy needs. This could be due to a lack of appetite, inability to cook for self, difficulty chewing or swallowing, not being able to recognize hunger, etc5. Dehydration can also occur due to the inability of recognizing thirst or forgetting to drink liquids. This can worsen the symptoms of dementia by increased confusion, headaches, and infections5.
Dementia causes cognitive problems that interfere with a person’s ability to recognize food. People with AD might not even realize that there is food or drinks in front of them or they might not be able to distinguish the particular food item and how to eat it. If a meal is not finished because a person with AD stopped eating, it does not mean the person is full or not hungry. Dementia also slows one’s concentration, meaning a person with dementia might not be able to focus on their meal long enough to finish …show more content…
Although nutritional supplements have shown to benefit those with dementia, only about eleven percent of outpatients use them6. Another study concluded that increase in homocysteine levels is correlated to a decrease in cognitive functioning, whereas the consumption of fats and red grapes seemed to have a protective effect for AD patients6. Omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, folate, and antioxidants are being extensively researched to find out if they can help prevent or slow dementia7. However, it is recommended that nutrients be ingested through the intake of food rather than supplements unless your BMI remains low.
Comfort feeding is also suggested as a means to provide a person with food. Comfort feeding “does not provide adequate nutrition”8. It is just a means to “eliminate feelings of hunger or thirst”8. Comfort feeding can be defined as hand feeding small portions of food or liquids frequently throughout the day. It is geared towards the idea of providing comfort to the patient, allow time for social interaction, and avoid risks of tube
Dementias can be classified in several ways and are sometimes grouped by relativity, such as what part of the brain is affected, or whether they worsen over time3. Another way to classify dementias is …show more content…
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is crucial in maintaining physical and mental wellbeing. Most AD patients are not able to eat enough to maintain their weight or energy needs. This could be due to a lack of appetite, inability to cook for self, difficulty chewing or swallowing, not being able to recognize hunger, etc5. Dehydration can also occur due to the inability of recognizing thirst or forgetting to drink liquids. This can worsen the symptoms of dementia by increased confusion, headaches, and infections5.
Dementia causes cognitive problems that interfere with a person’s ability to recognize food. People with AD might not even realize that there is food or drinks in front of them or they might not be able to distinguish the particular food item and how to eat it. If a meal is not finished because a person with AD stopped eating, it does not mean the person is full or not hungry. Dementia also slows one’s concentration, meaning a person with dementia might not be able to focus on their meal long enough to finish …show more content…
Although nutritional supplements have shown to benefit those with dementia, only about eleven percent of outpatients use them6. Another study concluded that increase in homocysteine levels is correlated to a decrease in cognitive functioning, whereas the consumption of fats and red grapes seemed to have a protective effect for AD patients6. Omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, folate, and antioxidants are being extensively researched to find out if they can help prevent or slow dementia7. However, it is recommended that nutrients be ingested through the intake of food rather than supplements unless your BMI remains low.
Comfort feeding is also suggested as a means to provide a person with food. Comfort feeding “does not provide adequate nutrition”8. It is just a means to “eliminate feelings of hunger or thirst”8. Comfort feeding can be defined as hand feeding small portions of food or liquids frequently throughout the day. It is geared towards the idea of providing comfort to the patient, allow time for social interaction, and avoid risks of tube