Cindy and I were enjoying ourselves at Applebee’s, when I noticed her demeanor starting to change. I knew the root cause, she was becoming self-conscious. At home I need not give a second thought about helping her to eat, she accepts in stride what most people might find an embarrassing situation, but this does not mean the potential for embarrassment does not exist.
Getting out is important to us to maintain a good quality of life, as I suspect would be for most people with Alzheimer’s. They may seem reclusive or in a fog, oblivious to what is going on but, as I’ve always maintained, they are more aware than we think. Here are some tips to help someone with Alzheimer’s enjoy the experience of eating out.
1. Order finger foods that can be eaten without the use of utensils. Chinese buffets work well, as they offer a wide variety that includes finger foods like egg rolls and chicken nuggets. I have found quesadillas to be best choice overall; many restaurants offer these at least for an appetizer. Pizza works well, too, though you may have to cut it up into smaller slices to prevent “drippage.”
2. Order foods that don’t make a mess. Finger foods generally all into this category, but if you should need to use utensils for whatever reason, at least make sure little mess will result. A slice of meat or sprig of broccoli will work fine. A spoonful of soup may not hit its mark and leave a spot on the shirt or pants, which will make your loved one more self-conscious in public than you might suspect.
3. Face your loved one away from people. Even a slice of meat or sprig of broccoli might cause embarrassment with the feeling that people are watching you being fed. Fortunately, things are very much “out of sight, out of mind” for someone with Alzheimer’s.
I neglected all three of those rules when we ate at Applebee’s, leading to Cindy’s agitation. Keep those three tips in mind and you should be able to have an enjoyable time eating out with your loved one.
