Dementia specific Dining

[michael79]

My facility wants to offer a more dementia friendly food service program. I have been elected to the committee. Anyone have any ideas or resources on dementia friendly dining? I know all about offering finger foods, but there are only so many sandwiches that you can offer. What are some other ideas???

[J9G2008]

Macaroni and cheese, goulash, beef stroganoff w/ meat cut really small and maybe elbow mac instead of big noodles, french toast sticks, waffle sticks?

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

Might sound silly but in the LTC facility I am at, there are several pts w/dementia that have "sippy" cups. These residents aren't able to drink from a cup whether or not someone assists them...it tends to just dribble out of their mouth. Straws aren't an option since they don't get the whole process of the straw.

When I first saw it I thought, ok, if they don't grasp the whole straw thing how the heck will they get the sippy cup?? But, guess what, they DO! It promotes independence and they get the fluids the elderly so desperatly need.

These "sippy" cups also have two big handles on the side so its much easier for the pt to hold.

Just a thought.

Finger foods, foods easily eaten are good. Instead of meatloaf, try a meatloaf sandwich. You can still use the meatloaf as it is, but put it between two pieces of bread, much easier to handle for the pts, especially when using utencils is difficult or they are losing their ability to know what to do with the utencils.

[nightmare, RN]

We use a lot of those 'sippy' cups.Also plates with higher rims to stop the food sliding off onto the table and make it easier to 'capture'.Non slip mats under plates also works well.For the residents who will not eat we leave small portions of sandwiches ,cookies and fruit within reach of them.It's amazing how often they will finish off these things yet refuse to eat an organised plateful of food.

[vampiregirl, BSN, RN]

We have the sippy cups at the LTC I occasionally work at too. But we can't call them sippy cups - they have another name (although it is escaping me at the moment). We also have built up spoons, dishes with high sides, etc. A lot of adaptive equipment that really does help the residents maintain their independance. Most of it is usually adult versions of the same equipment that you might think of for a small child. But when you think about it, isn't this stuff usually used to help children be more independent and work on motor skills?

Now if I could just remember the "appropriate" names for everything!

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Crackers and peanut butter, toast squares, cheese on toast squares, sliced and peeled apples with whatever you do so they don't turn brown, sliced bananas - the same stuff you would use to tempt a finicky toddler.

[nightmare, RN]

Crackers and peanut butter, toast squares, cheese on toast squares, sliced and peeled apples with whatever you do so they don't turn brown, sliced bananas - the same stuff you would use to tempt a finicky toddler.

I think you soak the apple in lemon juice to stop it turning brown.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Also---there have been studies done showing that the use of red-colored dishes and bowls stimulates interest, as well as appetite, in dementia patients. It would be worth a try, especially with a population at such high risk for failure to thrive, malnutrition etc. Go for it!

[achot chavi]

in addition. quiche goes well by us- ,as well as veri cutlets, muffins, eggrolls, knishes, pita and hummous, STAY CLEAR of peanut butter on white bread!! (choking hazard)

we put soup in cups (also use sippy cups or cups with lids as well as bowls with raised lids to aid in scooping up food with a spoon.

[michael79]

We have had great success with the use of sippy cups. Never thought of putting soup in them! Great idea! Thanks for all the great ideas! Keep them coming!

[ktwlpn, LPN]

Wraps are good also-try chopped veg with cream cheese. They can be served whole or sliced. Many can't handle a whole tray of food because they get confused by it so we give them one food at a time. Make sure the plates are placed on a mat of a contrasting color. Remember the environment-keep it quiet-play soft music.Staff must sit with the residents and offer verbal cueing-they should not stand above them. For puree diets the food can be thickened and formed into the shape of the food it is-(for instance pureed hot dog can be piped onto the plate to look like a hot dog)

[BEDPAN76]

Chicken fingers, french fries, popcorn shrimp. And anything in sandwich form, especially when cut into 4 pieces......