Meal Preparation Strategies

• Allow plenty of time for each meal.
• Offer meals at regular intervals each day.
• Eat every meal in the same area.
• Serve smaller meals more often rather than three large ones.
• Use plain white plates and bowls with different-colored place mats to reduce confusion.
• Give a person only needed utensils.
• Use straw for drinking.
• Avoid plastic utensils since they may break.
• Put one food on the plate at a time or serve one-dish meals, such as casseroles.
• Put condiments on food before serving.
• Avoid serving steaming hot or boiling liquids or foods.
• Use a mug for soup.
• Use a bowl instead of a plate for easier scooping.
• Serve finger foods such as chicken nuggets, small pieces of cooked chicken or fish, sandwiches cut in quarters, fish sticks, cheese cubes, cut boiled eggs, cut fresh fruit, and soft vegetables such as cooked potatoes, zucchini, cauliflower, and broccoli.
• Limit very salty or sweet foods if the person has a chronic condition, such as hypertension or diabetes.

Environment

• Create a calm, quiet, familiar, and comfortable home environment.
• Be consistent - keep furniture in the same place.
• Use soothing colors on the walls, such as peach, pink, ivory, beige, lavender, and light blues, and greens. Use flat paint instead of semi-gloss or high-gloss to decrease glare.
• Use non-shiny, simple floor surfaces to prevent confusion or carpeting to reduce noise.
• Avoid lighting that creates stark shadows that may disturb the person.
• Make sure that the kitchen area is well-lit.
• Provide soft background music and include the person's favorite songs.

Ideas for increasing physical activity:

• Be aware of the person's past activities and hobbies.
• Create a sense of routine; it is okay to do the same activity at the same time each day.
• Doing simple tasks such as sweeping or dusting may create a sense of accomplishment.
• Create activities that may be similar to those of a person's former career.
• Encourage dancing or playing an instrument.
• Take regular walks around the block or to the neighborhood store.
• Promote gardening, raking leaves, and outdoor activities.
• Household activities such as setting the table, washing dishes, or doing laundry will increase the person's daily movement.

(Updated 3/11/2020)