Eating

Preparing and sharing meals with your loved one can be a great way to spend time together. Promoting your loved one’s independence as much and as long as possible can also increase the enjoyment.

Try this

1. Look for bendable utensils with big grips that are easy to manipulate or large, slip-on grips can be added to existing flatware
2. Use plates with a deep lip to help food stay on the plate
3. Prepare more foods that don’t require utensils, like sandwiches
4. Let them help you by setting the table or doing small tasks they can complete safely (spreading, mixing, stirring, pouring, etc.)
5. If there are behavioral problems around mealtime, try to figure out the trigger so you can avoid it – is it a particular food? Time of day? The way things are done?
6. Let your loved one direct their diet
7. If chewing and swallowing become difficult, consult your health care team about changing the consistency of your loved one’s diet. Pureed foods and thickened liquids may be recommended.
8. Try nutritional drinks to supplement a decreased diet (ask your health care team for suggestions)