Dining with Dementia

"Feeding and Mealtime issues in Dementia Care"

A manual for all nursing home staff.

The “Dining with Dementia” manual has been created as part of a Pass Degree Project by 4th Year Speech Pathology students with supervision from speech pathologists who work in the aged care sector.

The manual includes the following:

• Dementia & Dysphagia: Feeding and mealtime issues associated with dementia.
• Dysphagia: What is it?
• Fluid & Diet Modification, which include:
  • Types of modifications and levels.
  • When, why and how they assist oral intake.
  • What foods/fluids are suitable for each level?
• Tips for creating safe feeding environments.
• Tips for effectively feeding residents.
• Trouble shooting section for possible mealtime difficulties, which include:
  • Residents who eat too slowly.
  • Residents who get easily distracted.
  • Residents who have trouble chewing.
  • Residents who refuse to eat or drink.
  • Residents who eat from other residents plates.
• Ideas for Finger Foods (consistent with diet modifications).
• Meal management checklist.

Dining with Dementia is a great resource for your staff.

It aims help them deal with the troubling and time consuming issues which occur at mealtimes in dementia wards.