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Alzheimer's disease generally follows a progression through mild, moderate and severe stages. Different symptoms may emerge at different times, but changes will occur that will affect both the patient and the caregiver.
Stage 1:
Care level required: Minimal attention in the form of:
- Reminding the person with Alzheimer’s disease to eat.
- Preparing well-balanced meals on a schedule.
- Keeping healthy snacks available.
- Avoiding dishes with busy patterns and too much flatware.
- Serving meals in a quiet, uncluttered place.
- Participating in meal delivery programmes.
Stage 2: Moderate
Care level required: Close supervision in the form of:
- Limiting the number of food choices at one time.
- Cutting up food so that it’s easy to eat.
- Gently encouraging proper chewing and swallowing.
- Preparing and providing finger foods.
- Switching to drinking straws or a convalescent feeding cup to make drinking liquids easier.
- Checking the temperature of foods and beverages prior to serving the patient.
- Encouraging healthy snacking.
- Ensuring proper hydration by providing liquids frequently.
- Supplementing the diet with liquid food supplements if recommended.
For more information visit: Dementia SA: http://www.dementiasa.org/ or Alzheimer’s South Africa: http://www.alzheimers.org.za/
