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Eating Behavior in Persons With Moderate to Late-stage Dementia: Assessment and Interventions

Associate Dean for Research and Evaluation, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC; amellaej{at}musc.edu

Alicia P. Grant

Ralph H. Johnson Veteran's Administration Medical Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC

Cathy Mulloy

Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC

Persons with various forms of dementia suffer from a progressive disease in which memory and the ability to function independently are lost. During moderate to late-stage dementia, individuals experience increased difficulty with eating and require more feeding assistance. Clinicians working with this population must acknowledge the multifactorial aspects of eating behavioral issues, use a team approach, and make careful assessments using appropriate instruments. Interventions should include attention to cognitive impairment, nutritional intake, training of caregivers, modification of the environment, and the quality of the interaction. Planning for care should include promoting the highest quality of life for these individuals and their caregivers. J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc, 2008; 13(6), 360-367.

Key Words: eating behavior • feeding behavior • dementia • nutrition • environment

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