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Some Useful Mealtime Strategies for Clients With AD:
• Offer environmental cues to signal the change from a recreational activity to eating
• Increase lighting and contrast at the table setting
• Use visual cues and written reminders
• Control noise, light glare, and odor
• Serve individuals promptly after they are seated
• Offer visual cuing for boundaries by using place mats or square tables to reduce interest in another's meal
• Decorate the dining room in a homelike manner to provide reassurance and environmental cues
• Supervise the meal, cue and encourage eating, use one-step directives
• Limit the number of utensils (usually people will choose the utensil closest to their dominant hand)
• Use cups with handles that are easy to grasp
• Serving larger portions for breakfast may help to maintain weight
• Increase the number of finger foods and provide foods “on the go”
• Clients often can be tempted to eat by adding sweeteners to food
• Serve one item at a time to decrease distractions and limit choices
• Provide ethnic or culturally appropriate foods
• Alternate hot and cold, add sweetener, and alternate with spicy foods, add ketchup, mustard, or salt and pepper (if medically appropriate)
• Tell concerned individuals that their meals are paid for, provide meal tickets or imitation money, or explain that it is included in a meal club
• Seat individuals according to compatibility rather than disabilities
• Offer liquids and water consistently throughout the day and place beverage stations in high traffic areas
• Repeat redirection to the task of eating meals and snacks
• Do not use garnishes or decorations that are not easily chewed
• Make small tables for one or two available for residents who perform better when eating alone or in a small group
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