When assisting a resident with dementia to eat, the NA should

When assisting a resident with dementia to eat, the NA should

• A. Guide the resident through the meal
• B. Feed the resident quickly before her attention is lost
• C. Switch the resident to a liquid diet if the resident is not on a liquid diet
• D. Leave the resident alone with her meal to promote independence

Answer: (A)

Assisting a resident with dementia during meals should focus on providing structure, support, and safety so they can participate while reducing confusion and risk. Guiding through the meal means staying with the resident, offering calm prompts, and delivering the food in small, manageable steps. Sit beside them, use simple directions, and pace the meal so they can process what’s happening, attend to swallowing, and feel secure. This approach helps protect against choking, ensures they receive nourishment, and preserves dignity by involving them in the process rather than rushing or abandoning them. Rushing meals is unsafe because it can lead to choking and increased anxiety. Changing a diet without a clinician’s order isn’t appropriate, as diet modifications should be medically prescribed. Leaving the resident alone to promote independence can remove essential safety checks and support, increasing the risk of choking or withdrawal during the meal.

Assisting a resident with dementia during meals should focus on providing structure, support, and safety so they can participate while reducing confusion and risk. Guiding through the meal means staying with the resident, offering calm prompts, and delivering the food in small, manageable steps. Sit beside them, use simple directions, and pace the meal so they can process what’s happening, attend to swallowing, and feel secure. This approach helps protect against choking, ensures they receive nourishment, and preserves dignity by involving them in the process rather than rushing or abandoning them.

Rushing meals is unsafe because it can lead to choking and increased anxiety. Changing a diet without a clinician’s order isn’t appropriate, as diet modifications should be medically prescribed. Leaving the resident alone to promote independence can remove essential safety checks and support, increasing the risk of choking or withdrawal during the meal.