Beating the challenges: Eating well for people with dementia

One of the biggest challenges of caring for a person with dementia involves eating and drinking, so the Alzheimer's Society has designed six specialised seminars for health and social care professionals to improve practice in this area.

The Alzheimer’s Society Food for Thought project is holding six seminars that will appeal to a wide range of care staff, including caterers, dieticians, nursing staff and health care assistants.

The seminars will be held in London, York and Birmingham in February and March next year.

Gwen Coleman, Food for Thought project manager, says:

‘Dementia can greatly affect a person’s ability to eat and drink. Changes in behaviour, food habits or weight loss often make the task of providing food and ensuring an adequate amount is eaten difficult for care staff.

‘These training events will provide practical advice and information to help care staff overcome some of the difficulties commonly encountered while supporting the person with dementia to eat and drink.’

Each seminar will provide delegates with the opportunity to share experience and good practice.

All delegates will also receive a Food for Thought good practice guide on food and nutrition for people with dementia which is relevant to their area of care. Guides are available for care staff working in four care specialisms: acute care hospitals, care homes, day care and domiciliary care.

The cost of each one-day event is £30, which includes the Food for Thought good practice guide. These good practice guides will also be available from the Society from February.

The events will be held on the following dates.

• London - 3 and 18 February 2004
• York - 9 and 23 February 2004
• Birmingham - 2 and 10 March 2004

For more information or to register contact Gwen Coleman on 01904 633 640.