Dementia Action Week: A Guide to Dining with Dignity

Dementia Action Week is a chance to step back and think about the everyday support that helps people living with dementia feel safe and included. In care homes and senior living settings, food can play a particularly meaningful role in bringing comfort, independence and opportunities for connection.

Around one million people in the UK are living with dementia, and every person’s experience is different. Dementia can affect memory, communication, appetite, taste, coordination and confidence, all of which can shape how someone feels about food and drink. To explore how mealtimes can better support people living with dementia, we spoke to our dietitian, Valentina Giannelli, about what dining with dignity can look like in practice.

How dementia can affect mealtimes

Dementia is a term used to describe a group of conditions that affect the brain over time. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type, but dementia also includes vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia.

Symptoms vary from person to person, but often include memory loss, confusion, changes in communication, mood or behaviour, and difficulties with everyday tasks. These changes can make eating and drinking feel less straightforward. A resident may forget to eat, struggle to recognise food, find it harder to explain what they want, or become anxious at the table. Taste and appetite can change too, and over time, some residents may need support with chewing, swallowing or feeling confident at mealtimes.

Creating a calmer dining environment

The dining environment can have a big impact on how comfortable someone feels. Too much noise, harsh lighting or cluttered tables can make it harder for a resident living with dementia to focus on eating, while a clear table, good lighting and a quieter atmosphere can all help residents feel more settled.

Colour contrast can also be useful, as food is often easier to recognise when it stands out clearly from the plate or table. The right catering environment won’t be the same for every senior resident, so noticing what helps each individual feel calm and confident is a vital part of mealtime support.

Offering support without overwhelming

Our dietitian, Valentina, notes “Simple, meaningful choices can help residents feel involved without feeling overwhelmed. Instead of asking open questions like, ‘What would you like to drink?’, it may be more supportive to ask, ‘Would you prefer apple juice or orange juice?’ Non-verbal communication, including positive body language and sitting at eye level is extremely important too, to help reduce anxiety and make mealtimes feel calmer and more positive.”

If a resident is reluctant to eat, the first step is to understand what might be happening. They may be in pain, unsure what to do, or finding chewing or swallowing difficult. Gentle prompts or smaller servings can help mealtimes feel more approachable. Regular drinks also support wellbeing through hydration, and thinking beyond water can make this feel more varied and enjoyable. Smoothies, milkshakes, soups and yoghurt can all support fluid intake in a way that feels inviting.

Familiar foods and changing needs

Food can be a powerful source of reassurance for people living with dementia, and it’s important that food services for seniors take into account likes, dislikes, culture, religion and personal routines. The foods people have enjoyed throughout their lives can carry memories and identity, meaning the smell of a favourite dish or the taste of a familiar dessert may help make mealtimes feel more recognisable.

It’s worth noting that this can go both ways. Dementia can also change how someone experiences taste or responds to food, which may cause a resident to suddenly dislike something they’ve always enjoyed or feel unsure about a familiar meal. When this happens, it helps to see the response as communication and adapt support around the individual.

Meals that feel manageable

Food in care homes has an important role to play in comfort and wellbeing, but for residents living with dementia, how food is presented can also make a huge difference. Large portions may seem overwhelming, so smaller plates with the option of seconds can often feel more manageable.

Valentina explains, “The British Dietetic Association highlights food fortification and small frequent meals as first-line approach to improve intake in people living with dementia. Finger foods can also be extremely valuable, particularly for people who struggle with cutlery, as they help maintain independence. Anecdotally, I have noted that many people living with dementia prefer sweet foods.”

Presenting food with dignity

For residents who need softer or texture-modified meals, presentation becomes an especially important part of senior catering. While safety comes first, a change in texture should never mean that a resident feels separate from the dining experience or less able to recognise and enjoy their food.

It’s essential that meals still feel clearly connected to the original dish. Valentina recommends, “piping components neatly on the plate, as this can make a significant difference to help residents feel included and ensure the dining experience feels positive and dignified.”

Support shaped around the individual

As Valentina has found, the best way to support residents living with dementia is to offer care that’s both personal and responsive.

“One of the biggest things I have learned is that there is no single approach that works for everyone. Every person experiences dementia differently, and nutritional needs, preferences and behaviours can change significantly throughout the journey. What works well for one resident may not work at all for another, which is why a person-centred approach is so important.”

Let’s start the conversation

As specialists in catering for senior living and care home settings, we’re passionate about helping residents living with dementia feel safe and supported at mealtimes. If you’d like to explore how thoughtful dining can protect dignity in your setting, we’d love to hear from you.