Mealtimes are important because they provide a welcome break in the day. If it is not too distracting for the person in your care, meals can be eaten with the family. It is important that mealtimes be enjoyable so that the person will look forward to eating. Look for these free or low-cost solutions:

Community meals: local meal programs sponsored by the federal government and open to those over 59 and their spouses. Call the local Area Agency on Aging or Department of Health and Human Resources.

Meals-on-Wheels: hot meals delivered to the home. Call the Visiting Nurse Association.

Food stamps: help based on income that can stretch food dollars. Call the Department of Health and Human Resources or the Area Agency on Aging.

For best results at mealtime:

• Allow 30 to 45 minutes for eating.
• Avoid fussy meal presentation.
• Make sure all items are ready to eat and within reach.
• Provide a comfortable table and chair or other eating arrangement.
• Supply easy-to-hold eating utensils. To avoid cuts, throw out all chipped cups and plates.
• Reduce excess noise such as TV and radio.
• If the person's vision is poor, place the same foods in the same spot on the plate every time.

Boosting Food Intake When the Appetite Is Poor

• Offer more food at the time of day when the person is most hungry or less tired.
• To increase the appeal of food for those with decreased taste and smell, provide strong flavors.
• Use milk or cream instead of water in soups and cooked cereal.
• Add fat by using butter, margarine, or olive oil on foods.
• Add nonfat dry-milk powder to foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, gravy, and sauces.
• Offer milk or fruit shakes.
• Offer pure'ed (finely ground) baby foods.

NOTE. If the person in your care needs to swallow three or four times with each bite of food; coughs before, during, or after swallowing; pockets food in the mouth; or senses something caught or sticking in the back of the throat, he or she may have a condition called dysphasia. Difficulty swallowing must be evaluated to determine if it is a symptom of a treatable condition and to help the caregiver learn proper feeding techniques.

Eating Problems and Solutions

Short of breath while eating: Eat small amounts slowly; may need to eat smaller meals more frequently.

Too much swallowing or chewing: Coach the person to alternate hot and cold bites.

Difficulty chewing: Change the diet to soft foods.

Difficulty swallowing: Put foods through a blender or food mill; avoid thin liquids and instead serve thick liquids such as milk shakes.

Poor scooping: Use bowls instead of plates.

NOTE. Difficulty in swallowing can cause food or liquids to be taken into the lungs, which can lead to pneumonia. Reduce the chance of food entering the lungs by keeping the person upright for at least 30 minutes after a meal.