How to assist someone to eat and improve nutritional intake

• Ensure that foods are neither too hot nor too cold
• Feed attractive, tasty, pleasant-smelling foods to enhance appetite
• Use finger foods to encourage independence and safety
• Make sure he is ready to eat i.e. the dentures, eyeglasses and hearing aid are in place
• Try to make the eating environment quiet and inviting with as few distractions as possible. Try playing some quiet music.
• Make sure he is seated correctly i.e. as close to 90 degrees as possible
• Try to tuck the chin under so it points to the chest (if necessary have the person in a chair offering head support)
• Sit at eye level as you assist the person with eating
• Use a teaspoon to avoid putting too much food in the mouth at once
• Remind the person to chew each mouthful thoroughly
• Touch the person's lower lip to stimulate opening the mouth
• Massage the throat to stimulate the swallow reflex
• Take as much time as necessary to help the person enjoy the meal
• Ensure the person remains sitting in an upright position for at least 30 minutes after each meal
• Clean out the mouth after each meal