Dementia Care: Alzheimer's and Nutrition

Course overview

Nutrition plays a direct role in health and function for people with Alzheimer's. As cognitive impairment progresses, eating and drinking often become harder to manage. A person may forget to start a meal, lose focus before finishing, or struggle with the steps involved in eating. Early changes may include shifts in appetite, taste, routines, or food choices. Over time, these changes can develop into feeding and swallowing difficulties and increase the risk of malnutrition and dehydration (Volkert et al., 2024). This course prepares healthcare professionals to recognize and address these challenges. By the end, you should be able to identify common nutrition risks, apply appropriate screening tools, and select practical interventions for individuals living with Alzheimer's.