1. Wholegrain Foods
2. Walnuts
3. Cashews
4. Almonds
5. Pecans
6. Blueberries
7. Strawberries
8. Blackberries
9. Sunflower Seeds
10. Pumpkin Seeds
11. Green Tea
12. Eggs
13. Avocados
14. Tomatoes
15. Brocolli
16. Red Cabbage
17. Eggplant
18. Spinach
19. Yoghurt
20. Chocolate

Want to know why and how these foods feed the brain. Then head over to Life of Zen read all about them.

Post from: Blisstree

Brain Food for Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers.

 

Also, what about yourself? Caregivers need to care for themselves with proper nutrition.  Sometimes life seems so hectic that good eating habits for ourselves are neglected. 

Try some of the food ideas found at Jul’s Veggie Chic.  She’s hosting the Vegetarian Carnival #4 with Summer in the Kitchen. 

“….enjoy the delicious vegetarian delacacies being served up around the interwebs.  Today we have a variety of summer treats for your enjoyment”

Also, at the Science and Health Channel, you’ll find recommendations from Kendra James at Diabetes Notes that Fruit is a Welcome Choice for Diabetics.  Some Alzheimer’s patients are diabetic (like my aunt) or simply enjoy fruit (like Mother).  Kendra has some good food suggestions and mentions that each diabetic has to find what works for them.

“Fruit is often thought of as ’scary’ for dibetics when truth be told, it is a great way to get what you need in your  daily diet naturally,” says Kendra.

My mom always enjoyed fruit and vegetables throughout her life, more than meat although she wasn’t a vegetarian.  I recall once at the nursing home, when I visited at supper time, a nurse remarked, “Your mother isn’t eating well tonight.”

I inquired, “What are you feeding her?”

“Pureed roast beef.” 

(At that stage Mother couldn’t chew so they had to mash or puree her food.)

Then I asked what else they had and found pureed green beans and mashed pears on the menu.

“Try some of the beans and pears,” I said.  “Mother never was much of a meat eater.”

Sure enough, Mother willingly ate those, although she consumer more of the pears than the beans.  So find out what your Alzheimer’s patient will eat…try some new ideas and enjoy fruits and vegetables on the summer menu for yourself, too.

Post from: Blisstree

Summer Food Ideas for Alzheimer’s Caregivers & Patients

Pam further explained that Mother would reach over to the next person and try to cut their meat, spoon food from a bowl onto their plate, butter their bread, etc.  She seemed to be treating them as though they were children to be fed.  Maybe they did need help, but they usually didn’t appreciate Mother’s help.

So this led to anger from Mother’s neighbors.  There hadn’t been food fights yet, but the staff were afraid these might result in the future. 

This isn’t uncommon, for an Alzheimer’s patient to eat from another’s plate or try to help them.  Perhaps they think their neighbor is a child and needs assistance.  Perhaps they think whatever is on the other person’s plate looks more appetizing.

I recall, before Mother went to the nursing home, having problems with her taking food from my plate if I were sitting beside her.  She didn’t eat directly from my place but placed the food on hers, then ate.  Maybe she thought my plate was the serving platter.

One evening, as we were eating, I went to get something from the kitchen…we ate in a small nook just outside the kitchen.  When I came back my plate was empty. 

“Did you eat my food?” I asked my husband.

He grinned and pointed to Mother’s plate.  She was thoroughly enjoying the remainder of my meal…and I had to find something else since I’d cooked only enough for three servings!

These actions on the part of the Alzheimer’s patient generally aren’t done to be annoying, even though they can be frustrating.  If we only knew their thoughts, we’d probably see their actions as normal for the situation or for their personality.

Post from: Blisstree

Alzheimer’s Patients & Table Manners