Managing weight in older people with dementia

Strategies to support people with dementia to continue to maintain good nutritional intake can include:

• Making sure that the person is free from pain or discomfort and that any prescribed medication is not affecting the persons appetite.
• Making sure that the person is offered small portions of a variety of their favourite foods on a regular basis with condiments including salt, pepper and sauces being available.
• Make sure that there is a contrast of colour between crockery and food and drink being served.
• Making sure that cutlery is easy to use and grip if manipulating cutlery is causing difficulties.
• Considering meal options that can be eaten without cutlery.
• Reducing distractions, for example turning the TV off, or making sure that any background music is suited to the preferences of those dining and is not too loud.

At Care UK, our colleagues are specially trained to support people living with dementia. Carl George, Specialist Dementia Lead at Care UK, details a few ways that our colleagues do this:

• By regular screening (e.g., the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool, or MUST).
• By ensuring that residents physical health is always considered, including oral health, and during regular prescribed medication reviews.
• Ensuring thar the mealtime environment is calm, well-lit and unhurried.
• Where prescribed by an external health care professional, using  fortified meals, snacks and oral nutritional supplements if indicated.