Dominique St Clair Miller, Speech and Language Therapist Director at Cygnet Health Care, said: “The changes that a person experiences as a result of dementia can impact eating and drinking habits in a number of ways.
“While changes in appetite or food preferences are not uncommon among the general population in older age, individuals with dementia may also experience additional barriers to eating and drinking.”
Some of these barriers are more physical than they are neurological, the expert suggests.
“Dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) can occur with dementia and make it difficult for an individual to effectively and safely swallow food and fluids; left unmanaged, dysphagia can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, life-threatening chest infections and increased risk of choking,” noted the expert.
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