Food, Drink & Dementia: How to help people with dementia eat and drink well

Mental Health Nursing,  Sep/Oct 2002  by Rosier, Mandy

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Reviews & reports

Food, Drink & Dementia: How to help people with dementia eat and drink well

Helen Crawley (2002) The University of Stirling, Dementia Services Development Centre ISBN 1 85769 154 7 Price: L9.50

I always find publications from the University of Stirling an excellent read - and this is no exception. Developed as a practical guide to encourage reflection about the way food and drink are planned, served and delivered to older people with dementia, it contains useful information for all practitioners.

The guide is divided into nine easy to read sections, each containing practical examples and discussion points. Key points, exercises and practice-based `warning bells' are highlighted by symbols which immediately draw the reader's attention to these areas.

The first three sections of the guide concentrate on why people eat and drink and the importance of eating well to remain healthy and assist with healing. It encourages readers to examine their own food choices and to explore the reasons behind these choices.

A person-centred approach to dietary intake is discussed within section four, with the emphasis being firmly placed on getting to know the individual and their needs. A handy checklist of signals for malnutrition risk and a discussion on the effect of medication on dietary intake are also included in this section.

Section five is on encouraging appetite and raising interest in food. The use of cues and reasons for food refusal are covered at length and there is a guide to helping clients to eat. The author encourages readers to experience what it is like to be fed from a spoon - an exercise I have undertaken and would recommend to anyone involved in this field of care.

Section six investigates the timing of meals, highlighting the need for appropriate spacing of meals as well as allowing adequate time for clients to enjoy their meal.

Section seven proved to be my favourite! Entitled `Cocktail Parties & Picnics', its emphasis is on providing practical ways to help clients eat better, have more freedom of choice of food and to enjoy their food more. Countless numbers of ideas for finger food, textured soft diets and an excellent area on 'DIY' supplementation are included. Although the author promotes the use of set tables for those who are able, she also provides ideas for preserving eating skills in those who have difficulty using utensils or do not recognise the purpose of cutlery.

Section eight outlines the requirements foil the perfect meal for older people with dementia, whilst the final section provides useful addresses and further information.

I would recommend this book as a useful resource and training tool to anyone working in the field of dementia care. It will stimulate discussion and the exercises provided can be adapted for use either individually or within teams. It is well written and easy to read. All members of the multi-disciplinary team could dip in and out of it to update their knowledge or to organise teaching sessions surrounding the topic.

Mandy Rosier (Tel 01786 467740 for the Dementia Services Development Centre)

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