It’s often said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and for those who are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, this is especially true.
Why is Breakfast so Important
Breakfast is especially important for those with Alzheimer’s disease for several reasons:
- It’s often the time of day when they are feeling their best. Many Alzheimer’s patients are more alert and in tune with their environment in the morning hours, making it the best opportunity for them to eat a healthy meal from start to finish without any interrupting incidents during the meal.
- Breakfast helps the daily routine kick in. Breakfast can help your loved one connect with the time of day and what his day may look like. If you build a routine with his breakfast time, it can set him up for a calm and peaceful day without too much anxiety.
- Breakfast foods can give him the energy he needs to stay alert and be active during the day.
- Breakfast is often the time when caregivers feel most relaxed and unstressed, creating a pleasant meal for all who gather around the table.
What Breakfast Foods are Best
If your loved one struggles to eat, there are days when you will just be happy that he’s eaten something, no matter what it is. But if possible, breakfast can be a great time to help him eat foods that will nourish his body all day long. Food options like oatmeal with fruit, peanut butter on whole-grain bread, and fruit smoothies made with some protein powder can all help keep your loved one’s energy up. Try to stay away from overly processed items like pastries, sugary cereals, and sweetened coffees.
Tips that Can Make Breakfast Go More Smoothly
Even when mornings are the best time of day, you still might have moments where your loved one struggles to stay focused on finishing his meal, or becomes agitated by something around him. Some common tips for mealtime peace can be followed at breakfast as well.
- Keep the area clean, neat, and quiet. Where your loved one eats and what the environment is like can play a big part in how well he enjoys his meal.
- Stick with routine. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a bowl of oatmeal every day if that’s what your loved one enjoys. Serve foods that he is comfortable with and recognizes as breakfast foods so he’s aware of which meal he’s enjoying and what time of day it is.
- Serve easy-to-eat foods. Scrambled eggs, toast, sliced fruit, and smoothies are all easy to eat and will allow your loved one the opportunity to do it himself.
- Give him plenty of time. Eating may take awhile and he may need reminders to continue eating, but with enough time, and no pressure, he’s more likely to finish.
When Mornings are Busy, Alzheimer’s Home Care Providers Can Help
If you have other early morning responsibilities, like children who need help getting ready or a dog that needs to go out, having an Alzheimer’s home care provider visit to help with the breakfast routine can help your loved one have a satisfying breakfast while you get other important tasks done. An Alzheimer’s home care provider is trained to assist your loved one with the care and respect he deserves so that his day can start right.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s Home Care in Columbus, NE, please contact the caring staff at Caretech today at (402) 697-5121
Caretech provides the best care services for seniors and families throughout Nebraska including Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue, Grand Island, Kearney, Fremont, Norfolk, Hastings, Columbus, Papillon, North Platte, La Vista, Scottsbluff, South Sioux City, Beatrice, Lexington, Chalco, Gretna, Gering, York, and surrounding areas.
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