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When Alzheimer’s patients no longer can feed themselves by using utensils, try some finger foods. I found that Mother still could pick up bite size pieces and realize they should go into her mouth. (We just had to be careful the items she was picking up were edibles.)
As I read Kendra James’ post at Diabetes Notes today, Fruit Kabobs Were The Highlight of My Day, I recalled the appeal of finger foods for Mother when she had Alzheimer’s. Kendra tells of the fruit kabobs she had for lunch.
Fruit and cheese kabobs that my 7 year old made. They were really good, just chunks of cheese and berries, bananas, apples and grapes on a bamboo stick. She had fun making them too!
It made me hungry reading about them.
What can you think about for your Alzheimer’s patient to eat for meals and snacks that are nourishing and easy to pick up with the fingers?
How do you solve the eating problem when they have difficulty feeding themselves?
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen
My aunt is 78. Recently diagnosed with Alzheimer. She also has paranoia.
It is getting increasingly difficult to get her to eat food and take her medicines. ( she takes a bunch of tablets for ailments that she has had for ages) She thinks that every one giving her food or meds has put poison in her food, and refuses to eat. She is getting weaker and weaker….Need some help please……
Do any of the elders you care for have difficult bowel movements? Lack of adequate fiber, liquids, and exercise contribute to constipation, as do some medications. Doctors often recommend stool softener and/or fiber laxatives. Although we can use these items, trying something nutritionally based is the preferred treatment first. Why? Because there are many less negative side effects of food (if any) than there are of medications.
In thinking of the benefits of handling a constipation problem — think back to how YOU feel when you need to “go” and can’t. Bloated – in pain – uncomfortable – out of sorts – irritated – and down right CRANKY ! It is no wonder that someone who has difficulty verbalizing their needs would ACT OUT when they need to go to the bathroom.
Some elders grew up drinking prune juice (or in my mother’s case – I grew up enjoying the flavor of stewed prunes, and prune juice that came from boiled prunes). While others of you may have difficulty getting elders to drink prune juice, here are three things you can try. 1) dilute prune juice with a 50-50 solution.
2) dilute prune juice (1/2 cup) with 3 cups of their favorite juice (i.e. orange or apple), and 3) if the other two options fail, this one was quite yummy — add to 1/2 cup of prune juice, 1 teaspoon of chocolate syrup (yes the kind you put on ice cream or in chocolate milk). You can no longer “call” this prune juice to the person avoiding drinking prune juice. It now becomes “chocolate drink.” It is sweet and it really doesn’t taste that bad.
Doctors have told our parents for years the benefits of prune juice – and experts now tell us that all of the problems of non-elimination/constipation can be solved with 1/2 cup of prune juice each morning. If all of care, could be so easy.
p.s. prunes can be added to blueberry muffins too! If what you try doesn’t work this time — don’t avoid trying the same intervention another day.
Dee Mayfield Cdp
I have a grandmother who has alzheimers and her appetite is vanishing for regular foods. The only thing she really wants to eat is chocolate chip cookies.. We are now trying the finger foods but are finding it hard with these due to lack of appetite what should we do to get her to eat better foods? help please
Terri, It is not uncommon for those with Alzheimer’s disease to have a “sweet tooth.” “Hiding nutrition” into desserts became an art form for my sister-in-law and for me with our mother-in-law. Those skills later helped when my own mother was diagnosed with probably Alzheimer’s disease. Here are some ideas that may help.
Chocolate Chip French Toast — Make French Toast with egg, milk, and powdered milk (to increase protein) – and while the first side is cooking – sprinkle with SHAVED chocolate (preferred dark chocolate with about 65% cocoa) — Try it in strips first — AS A “DESSERT” — if that doesn’t work, cut it with round cookie cutter into “cookies.”
Make a gelatin mold from: Vanilla Ensure with Fiber – Gelatin (powder – follow the instructions) and Orange Juice concentrate – diluted with 1/3 of the water. You should follow the Knox Blox directions for the liquids — so that the “Jello Dessert” can be sliced. If you do not have a gelatin mold that is rounded at the top — use a glass bowl. Spray it lightly with cooking spray. When you want to un-mold it — put a warm dish cloth around the bowl bottom.
Another dessert – make your own chocolate chip cookies – put a bit of banana, oatmeal, chopped pecans or almonds and some protein powder for extra nutrition. Have your grandmother help cook – or at least do some of the mixing of the cookies.
For other foods — SMELLING foods is a great way to increase appetite. Try a beef roast in the oven – slow cook it in beef broth. 30 min before add the onions, potatoes, and carrots – Yum… If she cooks it WITH SOMEONE – she may be more inclined to eat it.
Remember some senses decrease (sight, hearing, smell, and salt taste) but the taste for sugar seems enhanced… and enjoyable. Substitute Splenda or generic when you can. Best of luck on these. For a list of Fiinger Foods write: trainerdee@yahoo.com Dee
Terri,
It seems “sweets” are what those with Alzheimer’s disease crave and will eat. That is a common behavior. So… we use that to help them to get the nutrition they need by “adding” nutrition to the cookies we bake (or the cookies they help us bake).
Chocolate chip cookie recipe (cut the sugar by 25 %)
Things you can ADD
walnuts (great source of nutrition)
powdered milk (great source of non-fat protein – or protein powder !)
dried egg (source of protein)
raisins, dried apricots, prunes, etc. (source of iron plus fiber)
You should try adding only one item — if she eats the cookies when they are baked – then next time try adding a second item to the batter.
Additional idea:
Have a cookie tasting contest – Make all kinds of nutritious cookies – with nuts, and berries, and other fruits — keep the sugar low – and see how that works.
All my best,
Dee Mayfield Cdp
Hot finger foods:
* French Toast – as described above
* Hot meat sandwiches (hot ham and swiss, grilled cheese and thin beef lunch meat) Cut these lengthwise — each sandwich into thirds for big hands, fourths for little hands)
* Warm onion soup can be sipped from a cup
* Many wrap sandwiches can be heated — cheese will melt and help hold the sandwich together. OR……
Chicken with colby jack cheese — between two large tortillas. Microwave till cheese is melted, then FRY quickly in a frying pan. Cut into 6ths — easy to handle – and yummy (you can put other things in these — drained refried beans, onions or chili peppers if he likes those… etc).
Cooked carrots or other NON-watery veggies or meats can be WRAPPED AT THE TABLE – and eaten warm. The reason to wrap them at the table – is so they don’t get soggy – and fall apart.
I hope these ideas help.
All my best.
Dee Mayfield, CDP
Mayfield Health Care Semianars
dementia.seminar@yahoo.com
Finger Foods are great for continuing independence at meal time. If you choose to use a utensil — only put one choice. Ideas for fingerfoods are only limited by your imagination. Have a child help you with ideas — they LOVE helping, and can come up with some super ideas for solving many problems.
Finger food ideas:
* French toast – made with egg, ensure, cinnamon, and protein powder.
* Jello delight – jello crystals, 1 small pack unflavored gelatin, 3/4 c-BOILING water to dissolve. Add vanilla ensure for the rest of the liquid the directions on the box call for. Mix thoroughly. When gelled – cut into squares. Can be picked up with fingers OR fork – and it’s nutritious.
* crackers with cream cheese spread. Spread is cream cheese and one or two of the following: ground ham, ground spinach, ground onion and cucumber, or any food taste that your loved one enjoys.
* Puree meats and add to gelled broth cubes (made with unflavored gelatin). You can gel fresh mashed potatoes so they can be picked up. Experiment.
* Ham or Beef chunks
*puree beans and put into a muffin
*Carrot bran muffins (lower the sugar, use unsweetened apple juice for the liquid or milk and protein powder – and you have something nutritious AND tasty. Make 1/2 muffins – they are not as high and easier to handle.
*Cook carrot sticks until ALMOST soft — where they are easy to chew and still stay together.
*long cucumber wedges. Try lemon juice and a ‘little’ chili pepper on them – tasty and will tingle the taste buds.
*Egg sandwiches in hot dog buns
*graham crackers with fruit flavored cream cheese– or for a treat–marshmallow spread and tiny chocolate chips
*Wraps — TRY these: fresh fruit wraps (bananas lengthwise, berries, thin apples), lunchmeat and cheese, meat and cucumber sliced thinly lengthwise, and cooked (cooled) celery and carrots wrapped up with lettuce and meat. Wow – the choices are unlimited. Enjoy
Dee Mayfield, Certified Dementia Practitioner
Trainer Mayfield Health Care Seminars
dementia.seminars@yahoo.com
1291 days ago
[...] has a question, after reading my post, Finger Foods for Alzheimer’s Patients: My father is also in the same stage, he no longer uses utensils while eating. In order to give him [...]
My father is also in the same stage, he no longer uses utensils while eating. In order to give him his dignity we are starting finger foods, I should say the home he is residing in suggested this. He loves to eat!! I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for some hot meal fingerfoods.
Thank you, Cheryl from Naugatuck, CT
1426 days ago
[...] care of an Alzheimer’s parent, too. At Alzheimer’s Notes, I call your attention to Finger Foods for Alzheimer’s Patients . See if these ideas will help if getting your family member to eat is a [...]
1427 days ago
[...] Alzheimer’s Notes, I call your attention to Finger Foods for Alzheimer’s Patients . See if these ideas will help if getting your family member to eat is a [...]
1427 days ago
[...] at Alzheimer’s Notes, I call your attention to Finger Foods for Alzheimer’s Patients . See if these ideas will help if getting your family member to eat is a [...]
My fater in law is in the 2nd to last stage of alzheimers. He is very canterous. Hw will only eat Oatmeal (Maple and brown sugar flavor). Anything else he turns his nose up at. We also give him at least 2 ensures a day. (Vanilla) and he always wants a least 2 glasses of coca cola a day. We have tried all kinds of food. He has limited teeth to chew whit, which I am sure is part of the problem. Does anyone else have diet problems with their loved ones?
Sharon
My sister’s mother-in-law loved those little snack sausages. It was one of the last things that seemed to give her pleasure.
Along those lines, I bet many prepackaged hors d’oeuvres might be good, especially for the many caregivers who are sandwiched between two generations needing their attention and also holding down outside jobs.
1432 days ago
[...] easy Finger Food idea from Alzheimer’s [...]
All these suggestions are so helpful, both from your post and from Katy’s comments. Thank you!
1433 days ago
[...] Finger Foods for Alzheimer’s Patients Getting Alzheimer’s patients to eat can be a challenge. Try “finger” foods. [...]
Katy, thank you for visiting Alzheimer’s Notes and sharing your experiences with “finger foods” for Alzheimer’s residents. You have many good suggestions that I’m sure will be helpful for our readers to incorporate into finding foods for their patients/family members.
I am a diet tech at a nursing facility and I am facing the issue of some of my Alzheimer’s residents not eating–finger foods seems to be the option we’re trying to explore. We do not technically have a “finger foods” diet, but I am encouraging the staff to be creative in their thinking. They can make just about any slice of meat (turkey/chicken, meatloaf, cooked ham, sausage patties) into a sandwich. I would encourage people to use mayo or some other “binding” substance to help hold sandwiches together. Also, cut up fruit or vegetables. Drain fruit thoroughly if it’s canned. Things like pudding, ice cream, or yogurt could be served in an ice cream cone. Also, there are always the normal finger foods to choose from like cookies, chips, popcorn, cheese cubes/chunks, and cereal bars/granola bars. For difficulty with drinking fluids, use juice boxes or pour liquids into a sippy cup that has handles, making it easier to hold on to. I am sure there are multiple other options, but those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head. Hope this helped!