This week is Nutrition and Hydration Week, a week committed to focusing energy, activity and engagement on nutrition & hydration as an important part of quality & safety in health & social care settings. Every day this week we will be bringing you our best practice tips, helpful advice and more, designed to give you inspiration to improve nutrition and hydration levels for the people you support.
Weight loss is common in people living with a Dementia although causes may vary they can include:
- lack of appetite
- motor difficulties
- chewing and swallowing problems
- sensory changes and difficulties.
Changes in eating behaviours can contribute to an individual poor nutritional intake which may lead to further health issues such as
- heightened risk of falls
- pressure ulcers
- infection
- in some cases this may result in hospitalisation.
Dignified dining has lots of
There are some practical strategies which can be implemented to help stimulate and motivate people to eat better and help reduce the risk of weight loss.
Our top tips to help you to encourage appetite:
- have food and drink available at all times not just mealtimes
- encourage regular snacks little and often
- don’t overload plates - give smaller portions people can always come back for more
- make sure food looks and smells appealing
- finger foods can help an active person eat on the go
- provide positive encouragement and regular reminders to eat and drink and
- transparent coloured glasses help give feedback on how much fluid has been drunk
- Get a referral to your local dietician for more help support and ideas on improving nutrition and hydration
If you've missed our previous blogs discussing key topics on nutrition and hydration and would like more help and tips to improve your residents' dining experience and improve their nutrition and hydration levels, check out our blogs here.
Also please feel free to pop back each day during #nutritionandhydrationweek as we share best practice advice on these important issues and we'd love you to join our mailing list where we regularly share the knowledge and experience we have gained working in the care sector for over 25 years, helping to keep you in touch with new and innovative solutions which support safety and dignity for the people you support.
You can also order your copy of our Dignified Dining Solutions Guide, designed to help people with a Dementia to eat better, by calling us on the number below.
As always, you can contact us on 01773 713713 or sales@hcsuk.co.uk to discuss how we can help you and those in your care.
If you would like to learn more about Nutrition&Hydration week and get involved yourselves then head on over to their website and join the global challenge! https://nutritionandhydrationweek.co.uk
Nutrition and Hydration Week
