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

8 Presentation In this toolkit, we will explore different strategies to address specific challenges around eating in the early stages of dementia. The strategies presented in this document aim to provide support, promote indepen- dence, and enhance the overall eating experience, making it a meaning- ful, social, and healthy activity in the lives of individuals living with de- mentia and their caregivers. These guidelines are intended for formal and informal caregivers of individuals living with dementia and students or professionals in related fields. Eating is crucial for people’s well-being, encompassing nutrition and hydration, and it also holds social and cultural significance. Eating goes beyond basic necessity; it is part of our social interactions, plays a signifi- cant role in celebrations and traditions, and is a way to express affection. Individuals living with dementia may experience changes that affect their ability to feed themselves. These changes encom- pass cognitive, behavioral, motor, and sensory aspects, such as altered perceptions of food, difficulty un- derstanding mealtime context, chewing or swa- llowing issues, and challenges with eating utensils. These difficulties can have serious health consequences, such as weight loss, malnutrition, and risk of