The Importance of Food and Mealtimes in Dementia Care : The Table Is Set

Mealtimes are about much more than just re-fuelling, and the importance of mealtimes in the care of people with dementia cannot be overestimated. Using her extensive experience of working with older people with dementia, Grethe Berg explains how mealtimes can be used as natural opportunities for meaningful interaction, socialising and reminiscing, and useful forums for taking part in familiar tasks. The book considers the social significance of mealtimes and their role in maintaining patients' feelings of social attachment and well-being as well as the impact of the symptoms of dementia on food and mealtimes. It also explores different types of residential care and how they can make mealtimes a focus of activity for patients. Finally, the author discusses practical implementation strategies, considering variables such as building design, interdisciplinary collaboration, organization of staff and residents, and staff participation and conduct at mealtimes. This book provides much-needed help and practical strategies for care managers and carers to reclaim mealtimes as positive experiences for people with dementia. 1843104350......Page 1 Contents......Page 9 FOREWORD by Aase-Marit Nygård......Page 11 PREFACE ......Page 13 INTRODUCTION ......Page 15 Fellowship and belonging......Page 17 Food is more than just nutrition......Page 18 Mealtimes as the priority event in the daily routine......Page 19 2 Dementia......Page 23 Deteriorating memory and loss of ability to learn......Page 24 Loss of orientation skills......Page 29 Intellectual decline......Page 30 Loss of linguistic ability – aphasia......Page 31 Impaired ability to do practical tasks – apraxia......Page 32 Deterioration in attention......Page 33 Loss of judgement and changed behaviour......Page 35 Caring needs......Page 37 Treatment for people with dementia......Page 39 3 Mealtimes Used as a Purposeful Activity......Page 43 Repetition and recognition......Page 44 Ability to manage......Page 46 Improved orientation in time, personal identity, place and situation......Page 53 Stimulating the senses......Page 56 Social stimulation, well-being and confidence......Page 57 Observation and assessment of functioning skills......Page 59 Inability to complete practical tasks......Page 61 Memory......Page 63 Orientation......Page 64 Initiative......Page 65 Concentration and attentiveness......Page 66 Social skills and changed behaviour......Page 67 Food, mealtimes and having a meal in institutional care......Page 68 Medication in food......Page 70 Building design......Page 73 Inter-disciplinary collaboration......Page 76 Prioritizing tasks......Page 78 Organizing staff and residents......Page 79 Staff participation and conduct at mealtimes......Page 80 Knowledge, attitude and motivation......Page 81 CONCLUSION ......Page 85 REFERENCES ......Page 87 "Mealtimes are about much more than just re-fuelling, and the importance of mealtimes in the care of people with dementia cannot be overestimated. Using her extensive experience of working with older people with dementia, Grethe Berg explains how mealtimes can be used as natural opportunities for meaningful interaction, socialising and reminiscing, and useful forums for taking part in familiar tasks. The book considers the social significance of mealtimes and their role in maintaining patients' feelings of social attachment and well-being as well as the impact of the symptoms of dementia on food and mealtimes. It also explores different types of residential care and how they can make mealtimes a focus of activity for patients."--Jacket

mealtimes Are About Much More Than Just Re-fuelling, And The Importance Of Mealtimes In The Care Of People With Dementia Cannot Be Overestimated. Using Her Extensive Experience Of Working With Older People With Dementia, Grethe Berg Explains How Mealtimes Can Be Used As Natural Opportunities For Meaningful Interaction, Socialising And Reminiscing, And Useful Forums For Taking Part In Familiar Tasks. The Book Considers The Social Significance Of Mealtimes And Their Role In Maintaining Patients' Feelings Of Social Attachment And Well-being As Well As The Impact Of The Symptoms Of Dementia On Food And Mealtimes. It Also Explores Different Types Of Residential Care And How They Can Make Mealtimes A Focus Of Activity For Patients.

About mealtimes and being together Dementia Mealtimes used as a purposeful activity Relationship between ideals and practical reality.