Dementia and Appetite Loss

Those that live with dementia could indicate signs of appetite loss. The decreased desire to eat might also come from cognitive disability or other pre-existing conditions, like pain or exhaustion.

This post examines how dementia can impact a person’s appetite. It also examines techniques to encourage somebody with dementia to eat and when to get a hold of a doctor.

How Does Dementia Impact Someone’s Appetite?

A person’s appetite and eating disruptions may be more notable in the later stages of dementia.

In a study from 2015, researchers compared various factors of appetite and challenges with eating between various types and phases of dementia. Eating challenges can include issues swallowing and chewing in addition to choking when eating.

Their results revealed that across all types of dementia, an individual’s appetite decreased. Also, eating disruptions, like having a hard time swallowing, increased according to the phase and how severe their condition is.

Simply put, somebody with dementia is going to likely show signs of decreased appetite as the disease advances.

Dementia and Causes Of Appetite Loss

An individual with dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, might lose their appetite for a multitude of reasons.

Eating and drinking require the use of motor skill areas in the brain, which co-ordinate neck and throat muscles. Alzheimer’s disease and other kinds of dementia can impact a person’s control of their chewing and swallowing.

When this happens, a care giver may notice the following signs:

• coughing or choking on food as an individual eats
• declining to swallow
• making excessive tongue movements
• clearing of the throat
• scowling when swallowing
• spitting their food out
• drooling

Other possible causes of appetite loss may include:

Fatigue: Fatigue, or extreme exhaustion, can cause those with dementia to experience eating challenges because of a lack of energy. This could result in concentration and coordination issues and could result in them declining to eat halfway through a meal.

Constipation: Around twenty-five percent of those that suffer with dementia experience constipation. This could result in discomfort in the abdomen, leading to them declining to eat more food and avoiding meals overall.

Depression: Depression could impact around forty percent of people living with dementia. This condition can cause a person to start losing interest in eating.

Discomfort: In some instances, issues with an individual’s teeth or gums and other complications in the mouth could make eating unpleasant or painful.

Slight physical activity: An absence of physical activity in those with dementia could result in decreased appetite.

Problems communicating: When a person with dementia has issues communicating, their decline of food could be a try at communication. They may be attempting to let their caregiver know that they don’t like the food or are in pain when trying to eat.

One other important contributor comprises a decrease in taste and sense of smell. These are typical in dementia because of the deterioration of neurons in the brain.

How To Promote Appetite in Individuals with Dementia

In many cases, a caregiver or loved one can help promote an individual’s growth of appetite or eating overall.

They might need to try different methods if communication problems prevent them from knowing the absolute cause of the issue.

Some recommendations for caregivers to promote appetite in those with dementia include:

• taking them to a dentist for routine oral checkups
• offering smaller portions throughout mealtimes
• providing food alternatives using pictures so they can choose their preferred foods
• promoting eating at times when the individual is less likely to be tired
• speaking with a doctor concerning possible signs of depression
• providing pureed or softer foods if they are having trouble swallowing
• serving foods that the person is going to enjoy rather than nutritionally balanced meals
• not restricting dessert portions
• serving foods with more robust flavors
• prompting them to help with meal preparation or preparing the table

It might help by encouraging them to become involved in a group or neighborhood program that encourages routine exercise for those with dementia. Exercising can help alleviate bloating and constipation and help soothe moderate depression, which could boost their appetite and/ or desire for food.

When A Caregiver Should Get a Hold of a Doctor

If a caregiver has worries that a person with dementia is not eating sufficiently, they may want to get a hold of a doctor for advice.

A doctor can help:

• rule out a pre-existing medical condition, like dental pain, depression, or constipation
• offer additional advice on how to guarantee they get the nutrients they require
• recommendations concerning vitamins or supplements

Lastly, a caregiver should take someone with dementia and appetite loss to a doctor if they have noticeable signs of malnourishment or simply cannot eat.

In Conclusion

As dementia advances, a person’s appetite and capability to eat can begin to decline. It may directly result from the disease or associated ailments, like constipation, depression, and fatigue.

A caregiver can help someone with dementia eat more with different tactics that aim to increase their capability or their desire for eating.

If tactics do not work or the individual indicates signs of malnutrition, a caregiver should think about taking them to a doctor for assessment.

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