How Dementia Changes Appetite and Taste – And What You Can Do
Changes in Appetite and Eating with Alzheimer's Dementia
I share my personal, non-medical insights from caring for both my parents who lived with dementia.
There are often dramatic and often surprising changes in taste, appetite, and eating habits that can occur as dementia progresses, and I provide practical, compassionate advice on how to adapt, which has worked for us
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🔑 Key Takeaways:
🧠 Brain and Taste Changes:
- Dementia causes real neurological changes that impact taste and appetite.
- Some people reverse lifelong food preferences (e.g., savory to sweet or vice versa).
- These shifts are not preferences, but loss of taste sensitivity, especially for subtle flavors.
🍽️ Food Strategies:
- What food to focus on
🕒 Timing & Eating Patterns:
- Traditional mealtimes may no longer apply. How to support this
💧 Hydration Tips:
- Many with dementia stop drinking familiar drinks, what to change to
💡 Important - Their Mindset:
- Their mental exhaustion is real – even if physically inactive, their brain is running a “mental marathon.” How to understand this
🧃 Medical Support
- Ask GPs about prescription drinks
- Speak to your GP before you make any dietary changes if your Loved one has Diabetes
❤️ Angela’s Message:
Adapt. Be patient. Stay kind. Support your loved one by becoming a “food detective” – experimenting with what works, accepting changes without judgment, and focusing on what gets calories in, not what’s on the healthy eating list.
