People with Dementia have several challenges when it comes to eating. They may not have the appetite, might not recognise food, and could experience problems using cutlery. Their bodies require certain nutrients to prevent a further decline in forgetfulness. This blog post looks at some food options that caregivers can consider along with changes in eating plans to help their patients live better with dementia and improve their general health. Studies have shown that eating certain foods results in reduced risk of the conditions and may help prevent a full-blown case. Besides, these foods provide brain-boosting nutrients to keep what is left of the memory vibrant for long. Here are some of these foods.
1 Raw Leafy Greens
Consider going for dark green vegetables such as romaine, kale, and spinach. These greens contain antioxidants that help deal with free radicals and have high amounts of Vitamin K. Use one cup of such greens a day. In addition, these foods are excellent sources of Vitamin B9 and folate that have shown improvement in cognition for the elderly. Folate is especially good at dealing with depression, which is a major side effect of the condition.
2 Legumes
Legumes such as bean varieties are good sources of such nutrients as iron, folate, potassium, and magnesium. They also have a Vitamin B type called choline, minerals, and fibre. The nutrient is especially critical for boosting acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is vital in brain function. Use legume as a replacement for red meat. Each patient should take at least half a cup of legumes twice a week.
3 Nuts
Nuts are known to pack lots of nutrients that include omega-3 and six fatty acids. They also contain Vitamin B6 and E, folate, and magnesium. A combination of these nutrients offers good protection against memory loss that comes with age and helps improve the moods of the elderly. You can give any type of nuts, including almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, and cashews.
4 Seeds
Various seeds have different nutrients that are of assistance when it comes to age-related cognition problems. Here are a few examples. Sunflower seeds are high in choline, a Vitamin B variety that is known to improve brain function. Pumpkin seeds are known to have high amounts of zinc, which helps improve memory. They also have tryptophan that helps reduce depression. On the other hand, flaxseeds are an excellent alternative to a fish diet as they come with high quantities of Omega-3. Consider providing various types of seeds to maximise their nutritional benefits.
5 Spices
Natural spices are great food flavouring components but also good at providing antioxidants and memory-boosting elements. Some spices such as cinnamon improve the sense of smell by their scents. Sage is also known to help improve memory. On the other hand, turmeric contains curcumin, an ingredient that helps break the plaque in the brain and reduce inflammation. These two problems are known to cause memory problems.
6 Camomile Tea
There are several benefits of camomile tea, even to healthy individuals. The herbal tea contains a substance called luteolin, which is known to reduce or stop inflammatory brain reactions. The substance also prevents inflammation in other parts of the body. Camomile tea is also a strong antioxidant. Scientists are researching other bioflavonoids in the tea for the treatment of related conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. More information on the benefits of camomile tea can be found at tea-and-coffee.com.
Feeding the Elderly with Dementia
When feeding people with the condition, food must be served in quiet surroundings or some cool music. If they are living alone, you can buy dementia music players that have simple buttons such as on-off and moving to the next song. In addition, it is good to keep the table setting simple by removing plastic fruits and complex cutlery arrangements. In the same breath, make it easy for them to distinguish the plate from the table by getting rid of floral and patterned mats and tablecloths and use contrasting colour plates.
It is also important to check the temperature of the food as people with the condition may not tell when the food is too hot to eat. According to tea-and-coffee.com, it is good to test all food, including coffee, and ensure that it is lukewarm before giving them to eat. Finally, it is easy for patients to feed when eating with others on the same table. Therefore, make eating together regular.
Conclusion
By giving the elderly the right nutrition and ensuring that they eat the right quantities, you can help prevent further degradation of their memory and help them live better with dementia. Proper nutrition also improves the general health of the individuals in question. Consider feeding them small amounts of food regularly rather than large amounts per meal. Other items such as dementia music players help them play music with ease and enjoy the therapeutic qualities of music. Use the tips in this blog post to get started.
