Topic guides: Eating and Drinking Well: Content

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Dementia Australia resources

Dietetics and the benefits of nutrition in dementia
In this video we are joined by Dementia Australia expert Charmini Athukorala, accredited nutritionist and practising dietician, discussing the benefits of nutrition, maintaining a healthy diet and the benefit of seeking assistance from an accredited dietician.
Nutrition and dementia

Eating
This page provides a number of practical strategies for people caring for someone with dementia who is having problems eating.
Speech Pathology and Dementia Joint Position Statement (2024)
Dementia impacts each person differently, but changes to communication skills or eating, drinking and swallowing skills are commonly seen at some stage for most people living with dementia. Communication is a human right. Swallowing difficulties can impact physical health, nutrition and wellbeing.

Books

Practical Nutrition and Hydration for Dementia Friendly Mealtimes by Lee Martin
Publication Date: 2019
This research-informed book explains how to make the most of mealtimes for increased nutritional intake, socialising, and food enjoyment. The book covers topics such as the physical act of eating and drinking and creating a comfortable and friendly dining environment.
Making every drink count by Care UK
Publication Date: 2021
However old you are, and whatever medical conditions you are living with, drinking one and a half litres (6-8 glasses)
of water or non-caffeinated/non-alcoholic drinks a day is vital in ensuring that the bladder and urinary tract function
properly. The importance of helping older people to stay hydrated cannot be underestimated and knowing and offering what
people like to drink will help increase fluid intake.
Don't Give Me Eggs That Bounce by Peter Morgan-Jones; Emily Colombage (As told to); Danielle McIntosh (As told to); Prudence Ellis
Publication Date: 2014
Many of the dishes have been shared in his daily work in HammondCare’s dementia cottages, much to the delight of residents and families. Experts - dietitian Emily Colombage, dementia consultant Danielle McIntosh and speech pathologist Prudence Ellis who join Peter in writing about how to make mealtimes a pleasurable, social and safe experience in the context of dementia, ageing, swallowing difficulties and texture-modified diets. Carers are especially supported with time saving techniques, easy options and a special chapter on caring for the carer, along with lists of support organisations and resources.
Eating well : a food and nutrition resource for frail older people and their carers
Good nutrition is important for optimal health, independence and quality of life. Awareness of any nutrition-related health problems and timely intervention can be a big help in preventing the downward slide that leads to loss of independence and reduced quality of life. Good nutrition improves wound healing. Good nutrition helps to preserve bone mass and maintain muscle strength thus reducing the risk of falls and fractures. Good nutrition improves well being. One of the main nutrition challenges facing frail older Australians today is ensuring they are eating enough nourishing food. Eating enough means being able to maintain a healthy weight and even having a little extra weight in reserve for times of illness or stress. In Australia ‘Ageing in Place’ is a priority Federal Government initiative.
It's all about the food not the fork!
Publication Date: 2016
Everyone enjoys the fun and convenience of snacks and other easy to eat food. But for some people these meals in a mouthful are a life-changer—especially if they can be eaten with your hands and are good for you as well. That’s where new cookbook It’s all about the food not the fork! 107 easy to eat meals in a mouthful comes in. No cutlery required!
Imagine… you’re not comfortable with cutlery, can’t face a large meal, have reduced appetite, trouble with chewing or swallowing, are always on the move or have other things on your mind—an easy to eat, handheld snack that is high in energy, nutrition and taste will restore dignity and enjoyment to your dining experience. While everyone who loves a snack will enjoy It’s all about the food not the fork, it is a gift of love especially prepared for older people and people with dementia, swallowing difficulties or other disability, as well as carers.
The Importance of Food and Mealtimes in Dementia Care by Grethe Berg
Publication Date: 2006
Mealtimes are about much more than just re-fuelling, and the importance of mealtimes in the care of people with dementia cannot be overestimated. The author draws on her extensive experience of working with older people with dementia to demonstrate how mealtimes can be used as natural opportunities for meaningful interaction, socialising and reminiscing, and useful forums for taking part in familiar tasks.

Websites

Healthy eating and drinking for a person with dementia - Dementia UK
People with dementia may experience problems with eating and drinking. There are many reasons this might happen. They might: forget to eat or drink; experience difficulties preparing food or drinks; have difficulty recognising food items; have a change in appetite or taste.
Food and Eating - Alzheimer's Association
Regular, nutritious meals may become a challenge for people with dementia. As a person's cognitive function declines, he or she may become overwhelmed with too many food choices, forget to eat or have difficulty with eating utensils...
Think Twice About Giving Seniors Nutritional Supplement Drinks or Shakes
Geriatricians take weight loss very seriously and caregivers should, too. Family members are often at a loss when it comes to enticing loved ones to eat more (or at all), and many resort to using nutrition supplement drinks, such as Boost or Ensure, in lieu of meals. Unfortunately, it is a common misconception that these drinks are a complete source of nutrition. It is important to determine the Cause of a Senior’s Loss of Appetite before choosing this option.
Changes in eating habits and food (Alzheimer's Society UK)
A person with dementia may begin to develop changes in how they experience flavour. They may start to enjoy flavours they never liked before, or dislike foods they always liked.
Aged Care Quality Safety Commission - Supporting people living with dementia to eat and drink well
Information about eating and drinking well and dementia.
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission - Colouring, conversation, creativity and care
Activities to promote discussions about food and the life events and celebrations that are centred around food and its preparation and consumption.

Video content

Journal articles

Family carers’ experiences of nutritional care for people living with dementia at home (2021)
Family carers make food and drink decisions daily, and feel a duty to take on the responsibility for food shopping and cooking. They are conscious about ‘doing the right thing’ when it comes to providing nutritional care, and some feel uncertain about the food choices they are making, particularly regarding a reliance on convenience foods. Changes in appetite, food preferences and mealtime habits related to dementia can lead to disruption affecting the dyad. It is important that family carers and people living at home with dementia are provided with adequate support regarding identifying nutritional risks, making appropriate food and drink choices and preventing the risk of malnutrition in the dyad.
Mole, L., Kent, B., Abbott, R., & Hickson, M. (2021). Family carers’ experiences of nutritional care for people living with dementia at home: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. Dementia, 20(1), 231–246.
Family caregivers' and professionals' experiences of supporting people living with dementia's nutrition and hydration needs towards the end of life (2021)
The aim of this paper was to understand the needs of family caregivers and professionals supporting people living with dementia with eating and drinking difficulties towards the end of life and the strategies they use to overcome them.
Barrado-Martin Y, Nair P, Anantapong K et al (2021) Family Caregivers’ And Professionals’ Experiences Of Supporting People Living With Dementia’s Nutrition And Hydration Needs Towards The End Of Life. Health and Social Care in the Community.

Redesigning texture modified foods (2017)
LHI Retirement Services in South Australia has improved the mealtime experience for residents with dysphagia by changing the way texture-modified food is presented.
The Australian Journal of Dementia Care Vol 6 (4) p 26-27
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Food for thought: Facilitating independence with finger foods (2013)
Dietician Denise Burbidge discusses finger foods as a flexible, dignified meal option for people with moderate to severe dementia
The Australian Journal of Dementia Care Vol 2(2) p 19-20
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Residents happy to help themselves (2013)
The introduction of ‘help-yourself’ finger food and a person-centred dining approach has proved a successful addition to daily life at three Scalabrini Village aged care facilities in Sydney and Griffith which support people with dementia.
Rocco Andreacchio and Lauren Kingsbury explain how residents, care staff and families have benefited from the changes.
The Australian Journal of Dementia Care Vol 2(2) p 21
Read online