Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease often have nutritional challenges stemming from a variety of sources: loss of appetite, swallowing problems, and difficulty in focusing attention due to distractions. This program provides strategies for reducing mealtime obstacles and confusion. Suggestions for arranging food on the plate, using memory aids, serving several small meals, and supplementing with healthy snacks are addressed.

After completing this activity, the participant should be able to:

• describe the possible nutrition link between homocysteine and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).
• list three common nutritional problems in AD.
• identify the three phases of AD and discuss how to plan effective feeding programs for each phase.
• discuss three nutritional interventions that are preferred by patient families to enhance oral food and fluid intake in AD patients.