Goals of nutrition care for older adults with Alzheimer's/dementia?

• A. Develop individualized plan considering food preferences, using nutrient-dense foods, and offering feeding assistance
• B. Use a universal plan for all and avoid feeding assistance
• C. Replace meals with supplements only
• D. Restrict fats completely

Answer: (A)

In dementia nutrition care, the priority is a person-centered approach that supports adequate intake by fitting to the individual’s tastes, routines, and abilities. The best choice builds an individualized plan that respects food preferences, uses nutrient-dense foods to meet energy and protein needs in smaller, manageable portions, and provides feeding assistance as needed to help with pacing, utensil use, and safety at meals. This approach helps maintain weight and hydration, supports enjoyment and social interaction during meals, and adapts to changing abilities over time.

A universal plan ignores the significant variability in appetite, preferences, and function seen in dementia. Relying on meals alone without feeding assistance can leave individuals underfed if they struggle to eat independently. Replacing meals with supplements only misses the benefits of regular meals for energy, appetite, and psychosocial engagement. Completely restricting fats removes an important energy source and essential fatty acids, which is not appropriate unless there’s a specific medical reason.