Submitted by Jed A. Levine, President Emeritus & Director, External Relations of CaringKind, The Heart of Alzheimer’s Caregiving, in honor of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month
In honor of
Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month
, I am honored to share information on the relationship between nutrition and brain health, and as a component of good care.
In Alzheimer’s—where existing treatments are limited and we are just beginning to see new and promising disease modifying treatments that slow the progression of the disease—there is growing focus on the importance of reducing the risk of developing cognitive disorders. There is mounting evidence of the importance of food in maintaining a healthy brain. The FINGER study, DASH study and Mediterranean Diet all point the way to healthy and delicious eating that can keep our brains (and our hearts) in good shape.
Reducing The Risk of Developing Dementia With Nutrition
In her book
Brain Food
, Lisa Mosconi, Ph.D., INHC, Associate Director, Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic at Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City, promotes a holistic approach to brain health with several key principles that are consistent with other researchers:
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Eat a mostly plant based diet
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Eat the right fats, in the right amounts
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Reduce consumption of processed foods, (or avoid altogether)
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Eat animal products less often and in small portions, focusing on lean meats
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Enjoy complex carbs
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Drink water
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Drink alcohol in moderation, enjoy a glass of red wine.
It’s not diet alone, but in concert with other healthy lifestyle changes. These include exercise, social and cognitive engagement, good sleep hygiene, regular dental and oral health habits, and using a hearing aid if you have hearing loss. All show promise in reducing the risk of developing dementia.
But for many with Alzheimer’s and their family caregivers (many of whom are older adults themselves), and who have co-morbid chronic conditions, mobility issues, and financial constraints, the task of shopping and preparing three nutritious meals a day is overwhelming. Many older adults with Alzheimer’s or other dementias and their caregivers are living with long term diabetes, congestive heart disease, arthritis, COPD, and are survivors of cancer, all of which require specific nutritional guidance and support for the best outcomes.
CaringKind is proud of our longstanding relationship with the Food is Medicine Coalition’s partner
God’s Love We Deliver
, which provides medically tailored meals to our clients in New York City and Northern NJ. For these families, healthy and tasty meals are welcome and much appreciated, alleviating a source of stress and worry, while promoting well-being. We view home delivered medically tailored meals as another tool in the ‘self-care” toolbox for families caring for a relative with Alzheimer’s.
Food As Comfort
Something that cannot be overlooked is food as a source of pleasure, at any stage of the disease, but especially as Alzheimer’s progresses and the individual loses the ability to communicate verbally, becomes more dependent on someone else for their activities of daily living and is unable to initiate interaction.
With our partners at
Beatitudes Campus
in Phoenix, Ariz., we have successfully introduced a palliative care approach to care for those in the advanced stage of disease, with an emphasis on the importance of using food as comfort and a source of enjoyment, when disease prevention is no longer the goal.
If an individual is resistant to care, popping a Hershey’s kiss in their mouth can provide a delicious distraction, and allow the care to take place. Baking cookies on a dementia unit provides a warm homelike aroma, that is comforting and enticing. Using real food, rather than nutritional supplements for those with eating or swallowing disorders is always preferable and more satisfying. It is more important that the person with dementia eat foods that they like, often meaning a liberalized diet, to ensure adequate calorie intake. Offering finger foods and snacks during the day, such as fruit, smoothies, peanut butter sandwiches, puddings and applesauce resulted in prevention of weight loss which is so often seen in the advanced stage.
Delicious, nutritious food is central to our quality of life, for all of us—including those with cognitive challenges and their caregivers. Home delivered medically tailored meals are an essential component of the network of care and support for families facing the challenges of Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
To learn more about CaringKind and our programs of care and support for individuals with dementia, their family caregivers please visit www.caringkindnyc.org or call the CaringKind Helpline at 646-744-2900.
References
CaringKind, Palliative Care for People with Dementia: Why Comfort Matters in Long-Term Care; 2016
Mosconi, L, Brain Food: The Surprising Science of Eating for Cognitive Power, New York, Avery an imprint of Penguin Random House, 2018
About CaringKind
CaringKind, The Heart of Alzheimer’s Caregiving
, formerly the Alzheimer’s Association, NYC Chapter, is New York’s trusted partner for dementia care. CaringKind is a not for profit 501 (c) 3 corporation which provides free information, confidential assistance and support for those with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, as well as for their family members, caregivers, and professionals. Our programs include a Helpline, Dementia Consultation, Social Work Services, Care Partner Education, Support Groups, Early-Stage Services, a Wanderer’s Safety Program, Workforce Development, connect2culture and Research Initiatives. We reach out to the diverse populations of New York City, with our successful community programs to the Latino, African American, Chinese, LGBT and Orthodox Jewish communities. For more than 40 years, our dedicated professional staff has provided compassionate care and life-saving support for tens of thousands of New Yorkers with dementia and their caregivers. Our organization actively advocates at the city, state, and federal level to support related legislation and heighten public awareness. For more information: www.caringkindnyc.org or 646-744-2900.
