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.

So Mother made our refreshments.  These consisted of iced tea, lemonade, and mint tea.  Sometimes she combined the tea and lemon juice, then added a spring of mint.  The mint grew along the brook that ran behind our farmhouse and across the pasture.  We children were assigned the task of picking mint that Mother would steep in the hot tea. 

After Mother developed Alzheimer’s, she still enjoyed iced tea and lemonade as her afternoon beverage at home and later at the nursing home.  These weren’t homemade, and I don’t know if these refreshing drinks brought back memories. 

But I like to think they gave her pleasure in her Alzheimer’s world.  Perhaps she was back in time to the days when her children gathered mint leaves and carried them to her in tightly clenched hands, “Here, Mama.  Make us mint tea today!”  Then they gathered around the kitchen table and shared mint tea or lemonade with cookies.

Post from: Blisstree

Homemade Lemonade, Memories & Alzheimer’s

Their three month study focused on whether increased staff training and a more supportive environment would result in increased weight in patients with moderate and severe dementia.

The results concluded that weight gain can occur in Alzheimer’s patients by:

- improving communication and patient involvement
- altering meal routines
- providing a more homely environment

The results of this study have been published in the May issue of the Journal of Clinical Nursing.

Reference article: Alzheimer’s Weight Gain Initiative Also Improved Patient’s Intellectual Ablities

Post from: Blisstree

Maintaining optimum weight for Alzheimer’s patients.

“Don’t look at me,” he remarked.  “Look at Mother!”

Sure enough, my mom was happily munching my hamburger, having finished hers.

This became a challenge at meal time.  Mother might finish something she liked, then look around for more, not realizing my plate or Jim’s wasn’t a platter for her to select from.  This also became a problem at the nursing home I used for day care. She either helped her neighbors cut their meat or took it for her own.  Finally they sat her at a TV tray by herself, yet in the dining room.

I recall my aunt’s love of sweets as she journeyed into Alzheimer’s.  This also didn’t help her diabetes, which generally could be controlled by watching her diet, not medication. 

When she lived with my mom, who was showing the initial signs of Alzheimer’s, I became involved in Auntie’s care.  We had to hide sweets so Auntie wouldn’t find them and eat too much.  Her judgment about food choices was like a child’s

But I recall her delight when we could let her indulge…the beaming smile that lit her face as she observed an eclair on her plate. 

Tea parties with Mother created fond memories for my grandchildren and me.  Mother had a custom (handed down from her mother) of offering a cup of tea whenever someone visited her home.  She and I often chatted over tea and snacks and caught up on family news.  So it seemed natural to continue this practice in the nursing home.

My grandchildren soon looked forward to “tea parties with Great Grandma.”  We’d bring muffins or cookies, perhaps cheese and crackers, with us and make tea at the nurses’ station.  Or I might pick up something at the nearby fast food restaurant and get the children kiddie meals.

When Mother became increasingly unable to feed herself, we had to do it.  One day I wasn’t paying attention so my 6-year old granddaughter reminded, “Nanny, feed your mother.”  It seemed the most natural activity to Kara that we did this so Great Grandma could enjoy the party, too.

Perhaps you can initiate a tea party or some other activity involving food for your family and family member with Alzheimer’s.  These make for wonderful memories, too.

Post from: Blisstree

Food Memories of an Alzheimer’s Caregiver