Health Tip: When a Person With Alzheimer's Eats

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(HealthDay News) -- Mealtime with an Alzheimer's patient can be stressful and challenging, to make sure the patient gets sufficient nutrition.

The Alzheimer's Association suggests how to help mealtime go more smoothly:

• Serve meals in a quiet environment with no distractions.
• Clear the table of everything but basic utensils and dishes; keep dishes plain rather than with bright colors or patterns.
• Make sure the food isn't too hot.
• Serve only one or two foods at a time, and make an effort to honor the patient's food preferences.
• Have meals together, and don't rush the meal.
• Be understanding if the patient can't remember already having eaten.

-- Diana Kohnle

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