Teri Sellers
The PebbleCreek Alzheimer’s Support Group is available to all residents who have a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia. The group meets twice a month for a breakfast social and a support group meeting. Our goal is to provide support and information to families that are caring for a loved one with dementia.
Please join us for a very special meeting of our support group on May 21. Julia Deen, registered dietitian with Sun Health, will present Portion Control and Plating. She will also answer your questions about food and choices.
Julia Deen is a registered dietitian in the Diabetes Self-Management Program at Sun Health. She specializes in helping adults make healthier choices by providing knowledge and support. Julia is certified as a Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Coach and has spent the last decade providing instruction at the YMCA and Luke Air Force Base.
Problems with eating and drinking are common for people with dementia. Weight loss or weight gain for the dementia person is more common than you may think. The person with dementia may not eat or drink, even when they feel hungry, or they may want to eat more frequently.
People with dementia typically do not need a special diet. They need a special approach to meals. Aim for the least stressful solutions—common sense and a creative approach often help. Think about what they used to like or not like. And look for nonverbal cues such as body language and eye contact as a means of communication. A calm caregiver who does not rush mealtime as a chore will find it more rewarding.
Julia will share with us some important things that we can do to make mealtime a better experience for everyone.
If you are not a member of our group, it is easy to join. You are not alone. I want to share helpful resources and information with you and add you to our email list. Our support group is an excellent way to learn more about the journey that is dementia and a wonderful way to meet others who are going through the same journey. Your information is always safe and confidential. The benefits are priceless. Please contact me, Teri Sellers, at 602-793-0299 or [email protected].