Food choices not only affect physical wellbeing but also impact cognitive health. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure your senior loved one with dementia consumes meals, snacks, and beverages that keep their cardiovascular, immune, and endocrine systems working well to regulate and boost brain function. Here are some of the top nutrition choices for seniors with dementia and how they can enhance cognitive health.
Fatty Fish
Adding fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel to your loved one’s diet can reduce brain inflammation and oxidative stress. These are benefits that boost cognitive health and can slow down the progression of dementia.
Consuming fatty fish can enhance cognitive function and protect against health issues by altering membrane fluidity and increasing neurotransmitter release. Omega-3 fatty acids found in seafood can travel through the brain quickly and easily, and this type of nutrition can relieve stress and reduce the risk of depression.
Caring for a loved one with dementia can be a challenging task for anyone. The responsibilities can sometimes feel overwhelming, but help is available. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted provider of dementia home care. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need more extensive assistance that their families are not able to provide. Companioa by Institute on Aging (IOA) is here to help.
Green Leafy Vegetables & Berries
Cognitive decline accelerates when a senior develops dementia, emphasizing the importance of daily actions in areas such as diet, exercise, and mental and emotional activities. Enhance your loved one’s brain health by adding green leafy vegetables and berries to their daily meals.
Some of the green leafy vegetables to incorporate into your loved one’s meals include spinach, collard greens, turnip greens, and kale. When it comes to berries, you should add raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries to your loved one’s meals or frozen smoothies. Papayas and apricots are other fruits to consider when it comes to nutrition and dementia, as these foods have carotenoids that reduce brain damage and keep the mind and memory functioning.
Caring for senior loved ones with dementia can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in dementia care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Families looking for top-rated dementia home care providers can reach out to Companioa by IOA. From specialized dementia and in-home Alzheimer’s care to our adult day program and personal concierge services, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.
Legumes, Beans, & Nuts
These foods contain antioxidants that can boost brain health and prevent cognitive problems associated with aging and dementia. When it comes to nuts, almonds, walnuts, and peanuts are the best. To support brain health and dopamine regulation, include kidney, pinto, and black beans, lentils, and chickpeas in your loved one’s meals. As a result, your loved one can stay happy, their brain will be alert, and they can maintain as much cognitive strength as possible.
Water, Tea, & Healthy Juices
Seniors with dementia often have difficulty staying hydrated due to cognitive decline. However, having healthy drinks in the home could keep your loved one hydrated and boost their brain functioning. Some of the most nutritious beverages include water, tea, and healthy juices, such as fruit juices with high amounts of flavonoids, low-fat milk, and decaffeinated coffee and teas.
It’s important to ensure your loved one cannot access alcohol, as their brain might mistake alcoholic drinks for non-alcoholic drinks. Your loved one could also forget how many glasses of wine or other drinks they’ve consumed and drink too much, which could harm their cognitive health.
Aging in place can present a few challenges for seniors living with dementia. However, they can still live independently with the help of professional dementia care at home. Families can rely on Companioa by IOA to provide their elderly loved ones with mental and social stimulation, timely medication reminders, assistance with meal prep, and much more. Our caregivers are available around the clock to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life. We’ll work with you to create a customized care plan suited for your loved one’s unique needs. Call us today at (415) 750-4111 to schedule a consultation.