Diet and Dementia: How Our Nutrition Plans Help Memory Care Residents

Articles and health gurus sing the praises of how good nutrition can make a dramatic impact on your life. But were you aware that there’s also a connection between diet and dementia? The foods you eat actually influence the course of the disorder. 

At Coastal Pointe, we embrace a holistic approach to Memory Care. Through these secure units, we help ensure both safety and stimulation, meeting our residents where they are with compassionate care so you can have peace of mind. 

Want to learn more? Simply sign up to take a tour. We would love to meet you! See for yourself why our residents love living at Coastal Pointe.

In this article, we’ll closely examine the connection between diet and dementia, reviewing how nutritional plans can make a difference—and how our meal services can help your loved one.

Diet and Dementia: How Our Nutrition Plans Help Memory Care Residents

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, not only can poor nutrition have devastating effects on your overall health, but it can also make behavioral symptoms worse. 

At Coastal Pointe, our dietary services department works closely with doctors and the entire health care team to provide food that is both delicious and nutritious. For those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, we understand that this means making adjustments because often, these disorders change the way food tastes. That’s why personalized nutrition plans are a part of our services for all residents.

How Can an Assisted Living Community Help With Nutritional Challenges?

There are several ways our assisted living community in Shallotte can assist with diet and dementia. 

First, we provide regular, structured meal routines. This is vital for those who have memory-related issues. It helps minimize the chances of missed meals.

Second, we provide simple place settings in a calm, quiet space. This helps patients concentrate on eating and can even help them recognize food.

Third, we keep a close watch over hydration. We want to be sure that our patients with memory care issues are getting enough water for their optimum health. 

How Does Dementia Impact Nutritional Health?

The memory loss associated with dementia can cause confusion about whether or not the person has eaten. Often, they may forget. In more serious cases, those with dementia may actually have difficulty distinguishing what food looks like as opposed to the plate and eating utensils. 

Following are some additional ways that dementia can impact nutritional health:

• A poor sense of smell can cause loss of appetite
• Medications may actually change the taste of food, making it unappealing
• Problems with coordination can impair the ability for those with dementia to feed themselves
• Chewing and swallowing skills may be compromised
• Those with dementia can easily become dehydrated

How Does Dementia Make It Harder to Maintain Healthy Eating Habits?

For most people, it may take some willpower to maintain healthy eating habits, but it’s possible. However, when considering diet and dementia, eating healthy presents new challenges. These can be due to:

• Physical difficulty with chewing and swallowing
• Problems using eating utensils
• Food preferences can change suddenly, even when there’s no clear reason why
• Reduced enjoyment of food
• Emotional stress linked to dementia can sometimes make eating feel overwhelming, resulting in meal refusal
• Loss of appetite (this is more common as dementia progresses)

What Type of Diet Should Someone With Dementia Follow? 

A well-rounded diet with diverse food choices can support health while also helping manage some of the challenges associated with dementia.

As always, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins is ideal for everyone to follow (whether you have dementia or not). But the following are some critical elements that should be included for those with Alzheimer’s or other dementias:

• Limit sugars and high-sodium foods
• Implement healthy fats such as olive oil over saturated fats
• Implement elements from the Mediterranean, DASH or MIND diets
• Take swallowing issues into consideration; use soft or easy-to-chew foods
• Offer frequent small drinks to help combat dehydration

We Can Provide Peace of Mind—Let Us Care for Your Loved One Through Our Memory Care

When someone you love has dementia, the results are devastating. It’s a heartbreaking challenge for the entire family, and many become preoccupied with one overwhelming question:

Is my loved one safe?

At Coastal Pointe, our assisted living and memory care center in Shallotte not only provides the peace of mind you need, but we also create an environment where we utilize the advantages of a healthy diet and dementia treatment.

We invite you to schedule a tour to learn more.