How to Cope with Caregiver Stress

What are some strategies to manage nutrition and support meal planning? Planning meals ahead of time can help you save money, eat healthier, and make more nutritious meals for the person in your care. Here are some tips to make meal planning easier.

When a Person Refuses to Eat

You now know that there are many reasons that cause changes in a person’s eating habits. If the person in your care refuses to eat or is eating much less than usual, you may want to consider the following strategies.

Keep Meals Small and Simple

• Consider having smaller meals on smaller plates. Sometimes a big plate with a big portion looks like too much for a person and they can tend to refuse saying, “I couldn’t possibly eat all of this”.
• Sometimes less is more. You may want to keep the meals simple. Depending on the person you care for, lots of seasoning and garnishes can make food look off-putting.
• If the person prefers to eat small meals more frequently, have lots of small healthy snacks available to pick at during the day.

Consider Comfort

Track Meals

Consider Timing

The Link Between Mouth Care and Nutrition

What do I need to know about mouth care and nutrition? The entire mouth is linked to a person’s nutrition. Taking care of the teeth and gums is important. Brushing and cleaning the mouth can stimulate appetite and make eating more enjoyable. Pain in the teeth, gums, and/or dentures can make it really difficult for a person to eat. Talk to a dentist for advice if you are noticing these symptoms. For mouth care tips from the Canadian Dental Association, review their Tips for Caregivers page.