Mealtimes can become a challenging experience for individuals living with dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
In a recent video, Dr. Melissa Batchelor explores practical ways to address the vision-related challenges that accompany moderate to late-stage dementia.
Below, we break down the insights from her video into actionable strategies for caregivers.
How Vision Changes Impact Dementia Patients During Mealtimes
The brain changes caused by dementia profoundly affect how individuals perceive their environment. While not related to eye health, these changes alter how the brain processes visual information.
Here’s how it manifests:
- Peripheral Vision Loss:
People with dementia often experience tunnel-like vision. This limits their ability to notice food, utensils, or people outside their direct line of sight.Practical Tips:- Simplify the table setup by removing clutter.
- Use hand-feeding techniques to cue the person to eat.
- Place items where they can be easily seen and reached.
- Depth Perception Difficulties:
Judging distances becomes challenging, leading to difficulties picking up objects or eating independently.Practical Tips:- Use contrasting colors for tableware, such as bright plates on dark mats.
- Avoid transparent items like clear glasses.
- Demonstrate actions to guide hand motions.
- Reduced Color and Contrast Sensitivity:
Dementia can dull the ability to differentiate between similarly colored objects.Practical Tips:- Opt for high-contrast settings (e.g., white rice on a blue plate).
- Ensure well-lit dining areas to make objects more visible.
- Avoid patterned surfaces that might confuse perception.
- Trouble Detecting Motion:
Slow or erratic movements may go unnoticed, further complicating self-feeding.Practical Tips:- Make deliberate, clear motions when serving food.
- Offer verbal instructions before taking action (e.g., “I’m placing your cup by your plate”).
- Maintain a calm dining environment to minimize distractions.
- Recognizing Faces and Objects:
Familiar objects and people can become unrecognizable, increasing confusion during mealtimes.Practical Tips:- Provide simple descriptions, like pointing out “this is your spoon.”
- Offer one food item at a time to prevent sensory overload.
Practical Adjustments for a Supportive Mealtime Environment
- Use blue-colored plates to stimulate appetite.
- Keep dining areas uncluttered and free from sudden movements.
- Adapt your seating arrangement to align with the person’s dominant hand.
- Address hallucinations or misinterpretations by creating non-distracting, glare-free surroundings.
Watch the Full Video for More Insights:
