RespiteMatch.com Health Blog

Questions to Ask

Is the diet nutritionally balanced?
Does the diet provide a variety of foods, tastes, colours and textures?
Should the person be on a special diet for medical reasons (e.g., renal failure, etc.)?
Is mobility or accessibility a problem?
Is the person constipated?
Are there signs of dehydration?
Are there signs of chewing and/or swallowing problems?
Do dentures fit properly?
What can be done to make mealtimes a more pleasant experience?
How do current medications interact with food?
What are the side effects of the medications? Any nausea, dry mouth?
Has there been a recent change in medication?
Would vitamins or supplements be helpful?
Are there techniques or therapies to help minimize swallowing problems?
What are the implications of tube feeding?
How effective is tube feeding?
Steps to Take
Learn about healthy eating, proper nutrition and special diets
Pick up a copy of Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating at your local health department or online.
Contact a family physician or specialist for a medical assessment and nutritional evaluation
Learn about the effect of illness and medications on nutritional health
Encourage proper oral hygiene. Arrange regular dental visits
Seek nutrition advice and information from local health departments and community health agencies
Consult an occupational therapist for tips and techniques on how to increase physical strength and mobility
Contact a speech pathologist or therapist to arrange for a swallowing test
Arrange for meals to be delivered to the home by a delivery service, such as Meals on Wheels. Contact your home care provider for more information.
Find out what grocery delivery services are available
Find out whether community groups and churches offer breakfast, lunch or dinner programs
Find out about exercise programs for older adults
Contact a dietitian through your local health department, community hospital, or through the Dietitians of Canada
Contact health associations and organizations that can provide special advice on nutrition.
Learn at-home coping strategies for handling eating difficulties
Find out about helpful products that can assist with eating and mobility problems
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At-home Coping Strategies
Serve nutritionally balanced meals using a variety of foods from each food group.
Calcium-rich: lean meats, poultry and fish, dairy foods and eggs — to protect the bones
Foods with vitamin D: dairy products, including cheese and yogurt — to help the body absorb more calcium
Fruits, vegetables, cereals and grains to add vitamin B and fibre to the diet and protect against constipation
Six cups of fluids daily: from water, milk, juice, soup — to help prevent dehydration
Enhance food aromas and flavours to stimulate the appetite.
Serve meals that look appetizing. Add interest to the environment. Choose foods with a variety of shapes, colors and textures. Add a garnish to the food plate.
Serve foods that minimize chewing and swallowing problems.
Make mealtime a social event.
Modify the home to make it easier for a person with restricted mobility to prepare meals.
Choose nutrient-dense foods — dairy foods, lean meats, eggs — that provide high levels of nutrients and calories in small quantities of food
Serve several small meals instead of three large meals daily

Serve familiar foods. Older people like the foods they grew up with.

Boost the flavour of foods with herbs, seasonings, lemon juice, orange juice, low-sodium beef, chicken and vegetable flavours, maple syrup, bacon bits
Warm or hot foods carry stronger smells, which may stimulate the appetite

Support the back with pillows, if necessary, so that a person can sit in an upright position for eating

For a person with poor eyesight, use dishes that contrast with the tabletop

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Teeth and gums
Teeth may break more easily or may fall out
Gums may become reddened and more sensitive; gums may recede resulting in poor-fitting dentures
Always soak dentures at night
Since full upper and lower plates completely cover the inside of the mouth, it may help the person to eat by removing the dentures so he can feel the food in his mouth (particularly when dementia is present and seniors can start forgetting how to eat)

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Helpful Products

Medical supply stores, pharmacies and health store offer products that can assist with eating.

Eating utensils

One-handed utensils
“Spork” (a combination spoon and fork)
Swivel spoon
Non-skid backing for plates
Plate guards to keep food from going over the edge of a plate
Sectioned plates
Travel cups with partial lids
Bendable plastic cups
Cups wound with a non-skid rubber tread
Foods

Liquid supplements, such as Ensure
Carnation Instant breakfast
Powdered protein
Baby foods
Junior foods
Get a grip! slide foam rubber hair curlers over the handles of forks and spoons.
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