Like everyone, people with Alzheimer's disease benefit from a nutritious diet and regular exercise. The disease can provide challenges to a healthy lifestyle, however. Patients and caregivers can benefit from using strategies designed to improve nutritional intake and physical activity levels while promoting a safe environment.
Disease Course
Alzheimer's disease robs a patient of her memory and ability to care for herself. In the early stages, forgetfulness may cause her to forget to eat or exercise regularly. As the disease progresses, she may lose interest in food or crave unhealthy foods. She may also become physically unsteady or weak, making exercise challenging.
Good Nutrition
A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat milk products forms the basis for healthy eating. Proteins such as beans, nuts, eggs, fish and lean beef, pork and poultry are also important. Intake of saturated fats and fried foods should be minimized. It is wise, however, to try to maintain many of the patient's eating patterns by serving familiar food at a time he is accustomed to eating. Familiar recipes can be made more healthy, if needed, by eliminating fat, encouraging more fruits and vegetables and switching refined flour products for whole grains. Healthy snacks, such as apples, bananas and whole-grain crackers, should be available and in sight at all times. The patient's physician may order meal replacement drinks if he fails to eat enough nutritional food.
Meeting Nutritional Challenges
Offer a couple of choices at mealtime when possible. This promotes a feeling of independence and may improve nutritional intake. If utensil use is difficult, offer finger foods when possible. Encourage fluids throughout the day until a couple of hours before bedtime to lessen the possibility of dehydration, a common problem for Alzheimer's patients. Make mealtime relaxing and pleasant with enjoyable conversation or music the person prefers to hear. Avoid rushing the person to eat. The National Institute on Aging suggests you offer several small meals each day. Some people with Alzheimer's disease begin to crave sweets. Eating at the same time she does may encourage her to eat the same healthy foods you are consuming.
Healthy Exercise
Aerobic activity helps the cardiovascular system, and strength training keeps the muscles and bones healthy. Stretching is also an important part of an exercise routine. Regular exercise can reduce agitation, reports the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation. It also promotes a feeling of well-being and may help with sleep. Aim for 30 minutes several times a week plus some degree of physical activity each day. Walking or performing a fun exercise routine together is beneficial. A 5-minute warm-up of stretches followed by a 15-minute walk and a 5-minute session of moving 5- to 10-lb weights can be concluded with a slow 5-minute cool-down walk. If the patient is weak or feeble, exercise should still be encouraged. Ideas include kicking a large ball from a wheelchair, stretching to "reach the sky" or touching the toes.
Meeting Exercise Challenges
If the patient resists exercise, try to find ways to make it more interesting. Take a walk through a park or modify a type of physical activity he used to enjoy, such as throwing a soft football. Encourage playfulness by laughing or pointing out things in nature. Try dancing with person with Alzheimer's disease as a way of promoting physical activity.
References
- Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation: Diet, Exercise & Health
- HelpGuide.org: Dementia and Alzhiemer's Care
- State Government of Victoria: Better Health: Dementia - How to Encourage Healthy Eating
- National Institute on Aging: Caregiver Guide: Tips for Caregivers of People With Alzheimer's Disease
