Tool Kit. Strategies to facilitate eating and swallowing in people living with early-stage dementia

27 7. Label foods with expiration dates to promote the independence and autonomy of the person living with dementia, allowing them to choose which foods they want to consume. 5. Validate their perception if they experience perceptual disturbances related to food, such as seeing insects or dirt on the plate. You can remove the items from the plate or change the food to another container. 6. If the person refuses food because they think it’s too much, consider using a larger plate so the perceived amount of food appears smaller. 4. Guide the person’s attention towards the food. For example, use simple phrases like “Look at the food. Let’s eat a bit more” or hand them the utensil.