Improving nutrition and care for people with dementia

As the number of people diagnosed with dementia rises, care services are facing a significant increase in people accessing services, be it community, hospital or long-term residential care. Maintaining wellbeing is an essential aspect of quality of life, and appropriate nutrition and hydration are essential to wellbeing. Care staff require knowledge and understanding of dementia, the impact dementia has on the individual and the challenges and issues it presents for formal and informal carers. The National Dementia Strategy and the Prime Minister's Challenge have placed emphasis on improved quality of care and education on dementia for care professionals. Nutrition is a constant need to be met, especially as the illness progresses and the person may require considerable support to meet this need. Physiological changes through the journey of the illness present many challenges and considerations, especially towards end of life. This article aims to raise awareness of dementia, diagnosis and issues faced on meeting the nutritional needs of people with dementia.