Month: August 2025

Mealtimes can be a comforting part of the day for people living with dementia—if done thoughtfully. A calm, inviting environment combined with respectful assistance and cultural sensitivity can make a big difference in whether someone eats well and enjoys the experience. Let’s explore how you can apply what you’ve learned about mealtime support to help make eating easier, more enjoyable, and more successful.

Create a Supportive Mealtime Environment

A well-thought-out environment helps people with dementia focus on the meal and enjoy the process of eating. Here are several easy yet effective ways to set the stage for a pleasant dining experience:

• Reduce distractions. Turn off the TV, radio, or loud conversations that might overwhelm or confuse the person.

• Make the space feel like home. Use tablecloths, soft lighting, or a vase with fresh flowers to create a warm and familiar setting.

• Include them naturally. Invite individuals with dementia to join the table as you would at home. A friendly invitation can make them feel welcomed and included.

• Appeal to the senses. Let the aroma of fresh bread or a warm casserole fill the room before a meal—smells often stimulate appetite.

• Consider seating arrangements. Who sits next to whom matters. Familiar faces or calm companions can help reduce anxiety.

• Promote physical activity before meals. A short walk or light stretching beforehand may help stimulate hunger.

• Offer purpose and participation. Ask them to help set the table or assist with meal prep. Even simple tasks like folding napkins can foster a sense of usefulness.

• Host themed mealtime events. A mid-afternoon tea party with hats and light refreshments can add joy to the day and turn eating into a social experience.

• Encourage social interaction. Introduce tablemates to one another—shared moments at the table can foster connections.

Keep Hydration Fun and Frequent

Getting enough fluids can be especially difficult for those with dementia, but there are creative ways to make hydration more appealing:

• Host a daily “happy hour.” Serve colorful, non-alcoholic drinks like fruit spritzers or smoothies in fun cups or glasses.

• Offer hydrating treats. Popsicles, gelatin, or water-rich fruits like melon, grapes, or oranges are great options.

• Use every opportunity to offer fluids. Bring water each time you enter a room or after a trip to the bathroom.

• Make hydration mobile. Walk the hallways with a juice cart and offer drinks to everyone. A smile and a cheerful offer can go a long way.

To support your journey, enjoy 10% OFF any CARES® training or certification with code BeautifulAugust at checkout. Offer valid through Aug 31, 2025.

When caring for someone with dementia, mealtimes can often feel like a challenge. But with the CARES® Approach, we are reminded that eating and drinking “well” isn’t just about nutrition. Mealtime is far more than a routine—it’s a meaningful experience, a moment of connection, and often the highlight of the day for many people.

For individuals living with dementia, especially in the later stages, engaging during mealtimes becomes not only important but essential. Here’s why—and how—you can make those moments truly count.

Why Engagement at Mealtime Matters

We often forget that food brings people together. It’s not just about what’s on the plate—it’s about the environment, the company, and the comfort that mealtimes offer. For those with dementia, these moments help preserve dignity, encourage interaction, and even stimulate positive memories.

When caregivers create a thoughtful, engaging mealtime environment, it can:

• Reduce agitation and confusion

• Encourage better appetite and hydration

• Promote a sense of normalcy and belonging

• Foster emotional connections

Simple Ways to Create a Meaningful Mealtime Environment

Here are some practical and compassionate ways to enhance the mealtime experience for someone with dementia:

1. Sit Besides, Not stand over

Instead of standing over the person while feeding them, sit down and stay at their eye level. This small change can shift the experience from clinical to caring. Standing over someone can feel impersonal or even demeaning, while sitting shows presence, respect, and attentiveness.

2. Make It a Conversation, Not a Task

Don’t just serve the food—talk about it. Describe the textures, aromas, or flavors. Ask what they liked eating in the past. Even if verbal responses are limited, your tone and smile offer reassurance and warmth. Mealtimes are opportunities to connect, not just complete a task.

3. Curate the Environment

Consider placing the person with others they are comfortable around—perhaps friends, family, or familiar caregivers. If that’s not possible, gentle background music can create a calming and pleasant atmosphere. These sensory touches can turn an ordinary moment into something memorable.

4. Focus Your Attention

If you’re helping someone eat, focus on them. Avoid talking over or around them with others in the room. A divided conversation may make the person feel excluded or overlooked. Even a quiet meal can feel meaningful when you’re fully present with them.

Every mealtime is a chance to nourish not just the body, but also the heart and soul. Using the CARES® Approach—focused on Connection, Attention, Respect, Engagement, and Support—can help transform meals into comforting and enriching experiences for people with dementia.
Remember, it’s not just about food—it’s about how we share it.

Make mealtimes more meaningful. Learn how to connect, engage, and care with confidence using the CARES® Approach. Get 10% OFF any training or certification program with code BeautifulAugust at checkout. Offer valid through Aug 31, 2025.

This is the final step in the CARES® Approach—and one that truly shapes the mealtime experience. Sharing with others about what happens during meals is essential in dementia care. It helps everyone involved in caregiving stay aligned, leading to more thoughtful, consistent support at the table.

Whether it’s a new food the person enjoyed, a calm way that helped reduce resistance, or a small sign of discomfort—sharing these observations helps the person with dementia feel better understood and cared for. It also builds stronger communication and trust among the care team and family.

When sharing your mealtime experience, keep these points in mind:

1. Clearly describe what the person ate, how they reacted, and what strategies you used.

2. Note what made things easier—or harder—during the meal.

3. Include specific details that might help others continue what works.

4. Don’t overlook the small things—they often make a big difference.

5. Always share with compassion and respect.

Remember: sharing isn’t just about reporting what happened. It’s about creating a supportive circle around the person—where everyone contributes to making mealtimes calm, dignified, and nourishing.

If mealtimes feel overwhelming while caring for someone with dementia, the CARES® Approach offers practical guidance—like the importance of sharing with others to create a supportive care environment. To help you get started, enjoy 10% OFF any training or certification program with code BeautifulAugust. Offer valid through Aug 31, 2025.