From the desk of Rosemary Laird, MD
Founder of Navigating Aging Needs (NAN), LLC
Food for Thought
The dinner table is one of the most powerful tools in a caregiver's kit, and that’s not just because everyone needs to eat! For a caregiver of a loved one suffering from Alzheimer's disease, what's on the plate can genuinely shape what's happening in the brain. Researchers have spent the last two decades gathering evidence suggesting that certain diets—including meals with leafy greens, berries, whole grains, and lean protein—are linked to slower rates of cognitive decline.
Beyond Winning
As a caregiver of a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s, all you can do is try your best, day in and day out. Like an Olympian, you do it for the “doing,” not for a medal or trophy. Knowing that you are there for your loved one, helping them out, is reward enough.
The Ultimate Comfort Food: A Family Meal!
If you are a caregiver of someone suffering from Alzheimer’s, there can be an added stress around mealtime that comes in multiple dimensions. You may find that your loved one has a reduced appetite, changing food preferences, perhaps even forgetting that they’ve eaten a meal or not being able to recognize a particular food. In the middle stages of the disease they often develop difficulty using utensils, and in the later stages, they may have trouble chewing or swallowing. All of this can contribute to dehydration and malnutrition for your loved one, and a lot of stress and concern for you.