Nourishing the Body and Honouring the Person

As dementia progresses, maintaining proper nutrition and hydration becomes more complex. From forgetting to eat, to difficulty swallowing, or rejecting familiar foods, these changes can be distressing for individuals and families alike.

Advance planning for nutrition and hydration challenges ensures these needs are met with dignity and compassion. It also allows families to honour cultural and personal food preferences—while reducing confusion or conflict in later stages of care.

Planning early, while the person can still express their wishes, can provide clarity and comfort. Using tools like Evaheld, families can document voice messages, favourite meals, and care preferences, storing them securely in the Evaheld Legacy Vault for easy access throughout the dementia journey.

Why Early Planning for Nutrition and Hydration Matters

Food and drink are not just physical needs—they’re tied to emotional wellbeing, culture, memory, and connection.

According to Advance Care Planning Australia, early planning supports quality of life and ensures health decisions align with personal values.

Benefits of advance planning include:

• Preventing hospitalisations from malnutrition or dehydration
• Reducing stress for carers and medical staff
• Respecting religious, ethical, and cultural preferences
• Enabling shared decision-making with medical teams and families
• Preserving the individual’s identity through food rituals

Common Challenges to Expect

Appetite Loss or Forgetfulness

Many individuals forget to eat or lose interest in food. Planning now allows you to note what motivates them—such as sharing meals, favourite smells, or smaller, frequent portions.

Swallowing Difficulties (Dysphagia)

Swallowing issues are common in later stages. Advance plans should include consent for texture-modified diets and hydration strategies.

Changes in Taste and Preferences

Sweet preferences may increase, or familiar foods may be rejected. Documenting favourite meals early ensures they can still be offered—even in adapted forms.

Family Legacy Series offers templates to help record food preferences, favourite comfort dishes, and sensory associations tied to nutrition.

What to Include in a Nutrition and Hydration Care Plan

Favourite Meals and Snacks

• Include traditional recipes, comfort foods, or treats tied to family rituals. Record these with audio or video and store them on Evaheld

Meal Times and Rituals

• Does the person prefer tea at a specific hour? Did they always pray or listen to music before meals? These details can be invaluable in care settings.

Hydration Preferences

• Note if they enjoy herbal tea, lemon water, or smoothies. Include creative hydration methods like jelly, fruit, or soup.

Religious or Cultural Food Beliefs

• These may include fasting rituals, kosher or halal preferences, or aversions due to past experiences.

Consent for Feeding Assistance or Modified Diets

• Include preferences around feeding aids, texture modifications, and intervention thresholds.

These can all be detailed in an Advance Health Directive and uploaded into your Evaheld Legacy Vault for access by carers, medical teams, and loved ones.

Supporting Carers and the Sandwich Generation

Adults caring for parents and children often face emotional distress when food becomes a challenge. A clear plan offers reassurance and removes guesswork.

Tips for carers:

• Offer food visually (pictures, plated samples) to encourage recognition
• Use adaptive utensils to foster independence
• Avoid rushing meals—focus on calm, enjoyable environments
• Try shared meals with family to preserve connection

Nurse Info provides practical support for family carers managing these transitions.

The Online Will Blog also explores how legacy content, including family recipes, can play a powerful role in dementia care.

Emotional and Spiritual Importance of Food

Eating is often a ritual of love and faith. Planning now ensures those rituals are respected, such as:

• Blessings before meals
• Special dishes served on religious holidays
• Seasonal fasting or feasting preferences

Include these notes in your Advance Health Directive and share memories through the Evaheld blog or private recordings within Evaheld.

As Dementia Support Australia highlights, maintaining emotional connection through food supports quality of life even in advanced dementia stages.

Using Legacy to Support Nutritional Care

Legacy preservation tools can play a unique role in this planning:

• Record a video of the person cooking their favourite dish
• Add a playlist of music they liked to hear at mealtimes
• Store handwritten recipes in Evaheld Legacy Vault for others to continue traditions
• Take photos of meals they loved to support visual prompts later on

These details support identity and continuity, offering joy even when language or independence declines.

Final Thoughts

Nutrition and hydration planning in dementia care isn’t just about calories—it’s about comfort, culture, and care.

By preparing early, families ensure that their loved one’s relationship with food remains dignified, nourishing, and emotionally connected.

With a little thought, we can preserve more than a meal—we can preserve meaning.