Memory Care and Mealtimes
Creating an enjoyable mealtime routine for persons living with Alzheimer’s
Caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s is a daunting challenge for professional care partners. Care partners are encouraged to develop a relationship bond with the person and cautioned not to surprise the seated person or to approach them from behind.
The Challenge
Mealtimes present a unique challenge, as persons with Alzheimer’s often have difficulty following verbal instructions. In the process of being seated, they can become disoriented, confused, agitated, and balk at the assistance being offered.
When getting the person up to the table, a care partner can be met with resistance, as the task of moving a person to the table surprises the seated person when the care partner unexpectedly approaches from behind. The physical demands associated with moving a seated person (pushing-pulling-shoving-twisting) hinders any opportunity to develop a relationship bond with the person being seated, as the care partner’s primary focus is to exert whatever force is necessary to get the seated person suitably positioned at the table.
A Better Way
Chairs that swivel-lock…eliminate the need to exert physical effort when assisting a person get seated at the table. The seat becomes fully accessible when turned 90 degrees from the table. Once the person is seated, the care partner simply leans forward and releases the lock to swivel the person toward the table.
Chairs that also roll…and brake for safety enable the chair to be moved further eliminating any interference with the table, even when assistance is required from more than one care partner. Again, after the seated person is swiveled back toward the table, the care partner effortlessly glides the seated person into position at the table.
Swivel...Lock...Roll...and Brake for safety from ComforTek.
When caring for someone that wants to keep their own dining chair, the custom-sized Chair Caddie can make almost any chair roll…and brake for safety.
2 Minute TV Commercial from ComforTek.
Additionally, you might consider upholstering chairs with a solid patterned vinyls. This design feature contrasts dining chairs from other furniture making it easier for persons with limited visibility to identify the chair.
Dining chairs that swivel…turn...roll...and brake for safety… enhance a care partner’s ability to develop a relationship with the seated person, provide a greater sense of dignity and self-worth for the seated person, eliminate the need for care partners to push-pull-shove-twist when offering mealtime assistance, reduce mealtime stress and anxiety for both the seated person and the care partner, and create a more enjoyable mealtime routine!