Dementia often has an impact on people’s appetite and ability to eat and drink. Read our advice on some of the changes you might notice and how to support the person you care for.
People with dementia may experience problems with eating and drinking, and it’s quite common for their appetite to change as their condition progresses.
They might:
Helping a person with dementia to maintain a healthy diet can be difficult, but it’s important to encourage them to eat well. You could try:
A person with dementia may not always be able to recognise when they are thirsty, or communicate their thirst. This means it can be difficult for them to drink the recommended eight to 10 glasses or mugs of fluid per day. You could try:
People with dementia might need help keeping track of what food they have at home and storing it safely. You could try:
Some eating and drinking issues associated with dementia can lead to weight loss and malnutrition. Although the problems may be directly related to their dementia, there may be underlying medical issues such as:
If you have noticed changes in the person’s appetite, eating or drinking habits, it’s a good idea to book a check-up with their GP or dentist to rule out other causes. Not eating or drinking enough can lead to issues like dehydration, constipation, urinary tract infections (UTIs) and weight loss, which may make their dementia symptoms worse.
If the person has difficulty swallowing, ask your GP for a referral to a Speech and Language Therapist. They can assess the problem and suggest foods that the person can eat more easily.
If they need to eat pureed food, be aware that this can be less nutritious. You could try:
While most younger people are advised to follow a low fat, low sugar diet, older people and those with dementia need more nutrients, protein and calories. Ideally, they should also take a 10 microgram vitamin D supplement (available from pharmacies) every day.
Some people with dementia gain weight. This could be because they forget they have already eaten, don’t recognise when they’re full, or have developed a sweet tooth – a particular issue for people with frontotemporal dementia.
If overeating or weight gain is an issue, you could try:
For any questions or concerns about eating and drinking with dementia, you can contact our free Dementia Helpline on 0800 888 6678 (Monday-Friday 9am-9pm, Saturday-Sunday 9am-5pm, every day except 25th December), email helpline@dementiauk.org or book a phone or video appointment at a time that suits you.
You may also find these resources useful:
Our virtual clinics give you the chance to discuss any questions or concerns with a dementia specialist Admiral Nurse by phone or video call, at a time that suits you.
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