Symptoms and behaviour

What is Weight loss in dementia?

Unintended weight loss is common in dementia and can be caused by forgetting to eat, difficulty swallowing, depression, dental pain or the disease itself.

Appetite and the sense of taste and smell change. A person may forget they have not eaten, or find a full plate overwhelming, or be unable to use cutlery.

Smaller frequent meals, finger foods, strong flavours and eating together all help more than supplements alone.

Why it matters

Weight loss predicts decline, and much of the cause is practical rather than medical.

Sources

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Weight loss in dementia where you live

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Related terms

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