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Author: Home Helpers Home Care

Alzheimer’s disease affects memory, cognitive processes, and behavior, which makes it difficult for seniors and their families to manage daily life easily. There’s also no cure for Alzheimer’s disease as of yet, so families have to take advantage of all the resources they can to support the seniors they love. Nutrition can play a big role in supporting brain health for Alzheimer’s patients, and Alzheimer’s care providers can help families to focus on nutrition.

Brain-boosting Foods

Food and diet can do a lot to help people with all sorts of health issues, including Alzheimer’s disease. Brain-boosting foods can’t cure Alzheimer’s, but these foods can help the brain get the nutrients it needs to maintain focus, improve memory, and hopefully slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Omega-3 fatty acids from nuts, seeds, and fatty fish can help reduce inflammation. Berries and dark, leafy greens contain antioxidants that also help to reduce inflammation. Whole grains, fiber, and lean proteins offer other nutrients that help brain cells function and that support a healthy body.

Simplicity Helps

Planning and preparing healthy meals for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, the simpler meal preparation and planning are, the better. Family caregivers tend to feel overwhelmed enough with the tasks they have to manage every day and meal planning can feel incredibly difficult. Elder care providers who understand Alzheimer’s disease are a huge help because they can make suggestions to include foods that support brain health in an easier way.

Create Balanced Meals

The best way to help seniors get the nutrition they need is to create balanced meals for every day. Including healthy fats along with lean proteins, whole grains, and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables offers plenty of nutrients. Including plenty of water throughout the day helps to avoid dehydration, which also affects cognitive functioning.

Minimize Processed Foods

Processed foods often seem like an easy way to get food into hungry bellies and if they’re eaten every once in a while, they can be an okay solution. A steady diet of processed foods doesn’t ensure that seniors with Alzheimer’s disease eat the right mix of nutrients. Alzheimer’s care services help take care of details like cooking healthy, fresh meals, which means families can rely less on processed foods.

Offer Smaller Meals More Frequently

Alzheimer’s patients may experience big changes in their appetites or have more trouble eating some of the same foods they enjoyed in the past. One solution that can help is to offer seniors with Alzheimer’s disease smaller meals more often throughout the day. Staying on top of what they’re eating is also important because that can affect whether other options, like doctor-recommended supplements, could be a good idea.

Create a Supportive Environment for Eating

Just as important as what seniors eat is how the environment in which they eat supports their needs. Having a calm, quiet area in which to eat reduces distractions and helps seniors with Alzheimer’s disease focus on eating. Companionship during meals is often soothing for aging adults, and Alzheimer’s care providers can be there for support as well as company.

Nutrition is a huge piece of the complicated puzzle that is helping seniors with Alzheimer’s disease to keep their brains as healthy as possible. Alzheimer’s care providers can help seniors and family caregivers get the support they need to make good nutrition a regular part of everyday life.

If you or an aging loved one is considering hiring Alzheimer’s care in Pal Alto, CA, please contact the caring staff at Home Helpers today (408) 317-4969