Diana reports that she does not feel like eating. You notice that she appears tired all the time, and is often found crying in her apartment. She has been eating a lot less. She has lost seven pounds since she moved in, and you notice her clothes look like they are too big on her. What do you do with this information?
Nothing. You have heard other caregivers say that as people get older and have dementia, they eat less and feel sad.
Report Diana’s comments and your observations to the supervisor, nurse, or health care provider.
Encourage Diana to eat more and start getting involved with other people. Sometimes being social helps people eat.
Tell Diana to take a multivitamin just in case she is missing some nutrients.