This NebFact examines diet considerations that should be made for Alzheimer\u27s patients

Koszewski, Wanda M.

Ray, Carol

English

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University of Nebraska - Lincoln 
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln 
Historical Materials from University of 
Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Extension 
1998 
NF98-357 Alzheimer's Disease and Nutrition 
Carol Ray 
Wanda M. Koszewski 
University of Nebraska--Lincoln, wkoszewski1@unl.edu 
Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/extensionhist 
 Part of the Agriculture Commons, and the Curriculum and Instruction Commons 
Ray, Carol and Koszewski, Wanda M., "NF98-357 Alzheimer's Disease and Nutrition" (1998). Historical 
Materials from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. 528. 
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/extensionhist/528 
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Extension at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - 
Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Historical Materials from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension by an 
authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. 
Nebraska Cooperative Extension NF98-357
Alzheimer's Disease and Nutrition 
Carol Ray, Graduate Assistant 
Wanda M. Koszewski, Extension Nutrition Specialist  
Alzheimer's Disease is characterized by declines in brain functions that are irreversible (Alzheimer's 
Association). It is a form of senility which causes memory, thinking and behavioral problems. Senility is 
a term used to characterize behaviors and symptoms associated with diseased brain tissue. 
Alzheimer's Disease is a gradual disease, usually characterized by confusion and memory loss. 
Examples of behavior of people with Alzheimer's (AA): 
? Your wife often misplaces her keys. But last Tuesday she could not remember what they were for. 
? Your grandfather likes to take daily strolls around the neighborhood. However, four times in the 
past month he's gotten lost and couldn't find his way home without help from a neighbor. 
? Your favorite uncle can't remember your name or the names of your husband or children.  
Warning Signs to Watch For 
Here are 10 warning signs of the disease (AA): 
1. Recent memory loss that affects job skills 
Unable to remember supervisor's name after working with him or her for 10 years. 
2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks 
When cooking a meal, the person will forget to serve it and may even forget he or she made it. 
3. Problems with language 
May forget simple words or substitute wrong words. 
4. Confused about time and place 
Becomes lost on their own street, not knowing where they are, how they got there or how to get 
back home. 
5. Poor or decreased judgment 
May dress improperly, wearing several shirts or blouses. 
6. Problems with abstract thinking 
Balancing a checkbook may be a big challenge, when the task is harder than usual. Someone with 
Alzheimer's could forget completely what the numbers are and what needs to be done with them. 
7. Misplacing things 
A person may put things in improper places, such as an iron in the freezer. 
8. Changes in mood or behavior 
Everyone becomes sad or moody from time to time but someone with Alzheimer's can exhibit 
rapid mood swings - from calm to tears to anger, for no apparent reason. 
9. Changes in personality 
People's personalities change somewhat with age, but a person with Alzheimer's can change 
suddenly, becoming extremely confused, suspicious or fearful. 
10. Loss of day-to-day activities It's normal to tire of housework, business activities, or social 
obligations, but most people regain their energy. A person with Alzheimer's may become very 
passive and require cues and prompting to become involved.  
Who Is At Risk 
Alzheimer's Disease strikes men and women, all races and all socioeconomic groups equally (AA). It is 
reported that 10 percent of those over 65 and almost half of those over age 85 have the disease. Many 
doctors report they are seeing an increase in Alzheimer's patients in their 40s and 50s. 
Nutrition and The Alzheimer's Patient 
Many Alzheimer's patients have problems eating. This problem can come from many different factors, 
such as poor-fitting dentures, problems swallowing and loss of appetite. 
The nutritional problem seen in most patients is weight loss (AA). Weight loss may be due to 
distractions (noises, odors, conversations) while eating. When distracted, the person may eat less or not 
at all. 
The person caring for an Alzheimer's patient should find ways to encourage food intake and reduce 
mealtime confusion. The Alzheimer's Association suggests the following: 
? Provide calm surroundings at mealtime. Minimize interruptions, loud noises and abrupt 
movements. 
? Put only one item of food on the plate at a time. 
? Avoid patterned plates, tablecloths and placemats which might confuse and distract the person. In 
most cases, use plain white plates or bowls and a contrasting placemat. 
? Make positive use of distractions. If the person resists eating, take a break, involve him or her in 
another activity and return to eating later. 
? Use memory aids to remind the person about meal times. Try a clock with large numbers and an 
easy to read appointment calendar with large letters and numbers or a chalk or bulletin board for 
recording the daily schedule.  
There are nutritional factors which should be taken into account when caring for an Alzheimer's patient. 
The following are suggestions by the Alzheimer's Association which help a patient stay healthy: 
? Serve several small meals rather than three large ones. 
? Serve finger foods or serve the meal in the form of a sandwich. 
? Don't serve steaming or extremely hot foods or liquids. 
? Limit highly salted foods or sweets if the person has a chronic health problem, such as diabetes or 
hypertension. 
? Fill in gaps between regular meals with healthy snacks.  
If the individuals have trouble swallowing, food intake will be affected. The Alzheimer's association 
recommends the following: 
? Blending the food or alternating small bites of food with a drink. 
? Substitute fruit juice, gelatin, foods cooked with water, sherbet, fruit or soup. 
? Serve mashed potatoes rather than fried potatoes. 
? Offer bite-size pieces of cooked meat, turkey or chicken salads instead of sliced meat.  
Set aside plenty of time for meals and give the person enough time to swallow before presenting the 
next bite or drink. It also is suggested the individual sit at a 90-degree angle to avoid backup of food into 
the throat. 
Treatment 
Although there is no cure for Alzheimer's Disease, much research is being done to find one. There are 
prescription drugs available to provide temporary improvement of memory and thinking abilities. 
Scientists are researching drugs that will slow the progression of the disease. For more information 
contact the Alzheimer's Association, 1-800-272-3900 or write 919 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 
60611-1676. 
File NF357 under: FOODS AND NUTRITION 
C-3j, Special Diets 
Issued January 1998 
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation 
with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Elbert C. Dickey, Director of Cooperative Extension, 
University of Nebraska, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.  
University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension educational programs abide with the non-discrimination 
policies of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture. 


NF98-357 Alzheimer\u27s Disease and Nutrition

DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska

University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Historical Materials from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Extension 1998 NF98-357 Alzheimer's Disease and Nutrition Carol Ray Wanda M. Koszewski University of Nebraska--Lincoln, wkoszewski1@unl.edu Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/extensionhist  Part of the Agriculture Commons, and the Curriculum and Instruction Commons Ray, Carol and Koszewski, Wanda M., "NF98-357 Alzheimer's Disease and Nutrition" (1998). Historical Materials from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. 528. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/extensionhist/528 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Extension at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Historical Materials from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Nebraska Cooperative Extension NF98-357Alzheimer's Disease and Nutrition Carol Ray, Graduate Assistant Wanda M. Koszewski, Extension Nutrition Specialist  Alzheimer's Disease is characterized by declines in brain functions that are irreversible (Alzheimer's Association). It is a form of senility which causes memory, thinking and behavioral problems. Senility is a term used to characterize behaviors and symptoms associated with diseased brain tissue. Alzheimer's Disease is a gradual disease, usually characterized by confusion and memory loss. Examples of behavior of people with Alzheimer's (AA): z Your wife often misplaces her keys. But last Tuesday she could not remember what they were for. z Your grandfather likes to take daily strolls around the neighborhood. However, four times in the past month he's gotten lost and couldn't find his way home without help from a neighbor. z Your favorite uncle can't remember your name or the names of your husband or children.  Warning Signs to Watch For Here are 10 warning signs of the disease (AA): 1. Recent memory loss that affects job skills Unable to remember supervisor's name after working with him or her for 10 years. 2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks When cooking a meal, the person will forget to serve it and may even forget he or she made it. 3. Problems with language May forget simple words or substitute wrong words. 4. Confused about time and place Becomes lost on their own street, not knowing where they are, how they got there or how to get back home. 5. Poor or decreased judgment May dress improperly, wearing several shirts or blouses. 6. Problems with abstract thinking Balancing a checkbook may be a big challenge, when the task is harder than usual. Someone with Alzheimer's could forget completely what the numbers are and what needs to be done with them. 7. Misplacing things A person may put things in improper places, such as an iron in the freezer. 8. Changes in mood or behavior Everyone becomes sad or moody from time to time but someone with Alzheimer's can exhibit rapid mood swings - from calm to tears to anger, for no apparent reason. 9. Changes in personality People's personalities change somewhat with age, but a person with Alzheimer's can change suddenly, becoming extremely confused, suspicious or fearful. 10. Loss of day-to-day activities It's normal to tire of housework, business activities, or social obligations, but most people regain their energy. A person with Alzheimer's may become very passive and require cues and prompting to become involved.  Who Is At Risk Alzheimer's Disease strikes men and women, all races and all socioeconomic groups equally (AA). It is reported that 10 percent of those over 65 and almost half of those over age 85 have the disease. Many doctors report they are seeing an increase in Alzheimer's patients in their 40s and 50s. Nutrition and The Alzheimer's Patient Many Alzheimer's patients have problems eating. This problem can come from many different factors, such as poor-fitting dentures, problems swallowing and loss of appetite. The nutritional problem seen in most patients is weight loss (AA). Weight loss may be due to distractions (noises, odors, conversations) while eating. When distracted, the person may eat less or not at all. The person caring for an Alzheimer's patient should find ways to encourage food intake and reduce mealtime confusion. The Alzheimer's Association suggests the following: z Provide calm surroundings at mealtime. Minimize interruptions, loud noises and abrupt movements. z Put only one item of food on the plate at a time. z Avoid patterned plates, tablecloths and placemats which might confuse and distract the person. In most cases, use plain white plates or bowls and a contrasting placemat. z Make positive use of distractions. If the person resists eating, take a break, involve him or her in another activity and return to eating later. z Use memory aids to remind the person about meal times. Try a clock with large numbers and an easy to read appointment calendar with large letters and numbers or a chalk or bulletin board for recording the daily schedule.  There are nutritional factors which should be taken into account when caring for an Alzheimer's patient. The following are suggestions by the Alzheimer's Association which help a patient stay healthy: z Serve several small meals rather than three large ones. z Serve finger foods or serve the meal in the form of a sandwich. z Don't serve steaming or extremely hot foods or liquids. z Limit highly salted foods or sweets if the person has a chronic health problem, such as diabetes or hypertension. z Fill in gaps between regular meals with healthy snacks.  If the individuals have trouble swallowing, food intake will be affected. The Alzheimer's association recommends the following: z Blending the food or alternating small bites of food with a drink. z Substitute fruit juice, gelatin, foods cooked with water, sherbet, fruit or soup. z Serve mashed potatoes rather than fried potatoes. z Offer bite-size pieces of cooked meat, turkey or chicken salads instead of sliced meat.  Set aside plenty of time for meals and give the person enough time to swallow before presenting the next bite or drink. It also is suggested the individual sit at a 90-degree angle to avoid backup of food into the throat. Treatment Although there is no cure for Alzheimer's Disease, much research is being done to find one. There are prescription drugs available to provide temporary improvement of memory and thinking abilities. Scientists are researching drugs that will slow the progression of the disease. For more information contact the Alzheimer's Association, 1-800-272-3900 or write 919 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-1676. File NF357 under: FOODS AND NUTRITION C-3j, Special Diets Issued January 1998 Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Elbert C. Dickey, Director of Cooperative Extension, University of Nebraska, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.  University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension educational programs abide with the non-discrimination policies of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture. 

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NF98-357 Alzheimer\u27s Disease and Nutrition

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