The Role Of Nutrition In Managing Dementia
No matter what age you are, the nutrition you consume plays a pivotal role in your health. This has been proven to especially be the case for those with dementia, as the food eaten by a loved one with the disease can impact the speed it progresses.
At Old Alresford Care Home, our in-house chef has an in-depth understanding of nutrition and the role it can play in a range of health conditions. Our kitchen staff carefully consider this to provide healthy, nutrient-rich meals that enhance our residents' health. In this blog, we share how you can use nutrition to help manage dementia symptoms and deterioration.
Dementia and Nutrition
One area of dementia that has been extensively researched in recent years is the relationship between nutrition and how it can impact the progression of the disease.
Results show that a lack of particular minerals and vitamins can fasten the rate at which your loved one living with dementia can deteriorate. This is because these vitamins and minerals help improve cognitive functions, which means a diet full of these nutrients and more has the potential to slow the progression of the disease.
Nutritional Challenges Faced By Those With Dementia
While the idea of getting a balanced diet full of nutrients seems simple, when living with dementia, it can become complicated.
This is because the disease impacts their memory, often meaning they forget to eat and drink.
Additionally, the impact it can have on their physical health can make it difficult to make themselves meals filled with everything they need.
This is why care is so important for a loved one with dementia, as it can ensure they remember to eat and remove the stress of having to provide it for themselves.
Nutrients for the Brain
As mentioned above, certain minerals and vitamins are particularly healthy for the brain. These include:
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These are necessary for brain function and may help lower inflammation in the brain, frequently found in fatty fish like salmon.
- Antioxidants: Antioxidant-rich foods like leafy greens and berries can help fight the oxidative stress linked to brain ageing.
- Vitamin E: Nuts and seeds are among the foods high in Vitamin E that can help with cognitive health.
While these nutrients are easy to get hold of as supplements and vitamin tablets, the best source is the food that contains them.
How To Manage Dementia With A Good Diet
There are several strategies that you can implement to ensure your loved one living with dementia consumes all the nutrients they need to help manage their disease.
- Regular, Balanced Meals: In the earlier stages of dementia, a routine will help your loved one remember to eat.
- Adaptive Eating Utensils: Provide utensils adapted for difficulties with motor skills, as this will encourage independence while eating, which can result in more food eaten.
- Creating a Calm Eating Environment: Keeping distractions to a minimum over eating times will ensure your loved one is focused on eating.
The Best Diet For Those With Dementia
Any diet that contains a varied mix of nutrients will help slow down the speed of dementia progression. Research has suggested that the Mediterranean diet is one of the most beneficial for your loved one as it is filled with fruit, vegetables and fish.
Furthermore, the MIND diet—a Mediterranean and DASH diet combination—has been proposed as a means of reducing cognitive decline.
Nutrition and Dementia At Our Care Home
Nutrition and a balanced diet can help the cognitive functions of those with dementia, so their meals must be carefully planned and thought about.
At Old Alresford, our chefs plan a varied menu each week with the residents and their conditions in mind. We use fresh ingredients each day, full to the brim with the vitamins and minerals your loved one needs.
Mealtimes are an important part of daily life at our care home, and our staff enjoy the meals just as much as our residents. We ensure that we have enough staff available to make sure your loved one is comfortable when eating. This might be in the privacy of their room or with others in our dining facilities.
Why not join us for a meal time to experience the delicious meals our long-term and respite care residents get to enjoy?
We love to welcome you and your loved one into our home to show you around, as we believe this is how you will see the lifestyle within our home. Additionally, when doing this, you will be able to speak to our staff, including the kitchen staff and resident's to learn more about how we incorporate nutritional meals into their care plans.
Book a visit today by calling 01962 734121 or completing our online contact form.