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Eating Support

An illustration of a table with fruit and a hot drink.
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Eating is a basic human need. We need it for nutrition, overall health, and survival. It’s also a big part of our daily lives. The food itself might be especially important to us, and the act of eating may give us joy. The act of eating is also often communal and social, a shared experience with friends and family. When you’re providing support with eating, you’re doing more than just completing a task, you’re taking part in a meaningful experience with your loved one.

Instead of saying you’re “feeding” your loved one, let them know you are providing support while they eat. Your care recipient might not like the lack of control that comes with having you doing that for them —bringing food to their mouth, or even the pace at which they are having to eat if you are deciding that for them. Instead of saying you’re “feeding” your loved one, let them know you are “helping” them eat. Communication is important, as it will help you take into account what they prefer, what they want.

To support a person in a way that best meets their needs, it’s helpful to break down all the steps of eating.

Eating Aids

Tools are available that can support a person with eating. Some examples:

  • Adaptive forks, spoons, and knives
  • Forks, spoons, and knives that are weighted — these are utensils that are heavier than usual eating tools and can be easier to hold and to use
  • Forks, spoons, and knives that have handles, curves, or special shapes for ease of use
  • Specialized dishes
    • Plates or bowls with higher sides to keep food from sliding out and make it easier for the food to be scooped by a fork or knife
    • Plates or bowls that suction to a table so they do not move around so easily
    • Plates that separate different foods
  • Specialized cups
    • Cups with handles to make it easier to hold them
    • Cups with spouts or straws
    • Cups with cutouts along the rim to avoid having to tilt the head back to drink
  • Adaptive tables that go over a bed or chair
  • Adaptations can also be in the TYPE of food that makes it easier for a person to eat. Here are some examples:
    • Smoothies, shakes and soups for those who have difficulty swallowing
    • Finger foods for people who have difficulty with utensils

The environment can also help support your loved one’s eating. Some examples are:

  • Good lighting to enable seeing the meal.
  • Sounds that your loved one likes — perhaps music or the TV in the background. For others, too much noise can be distracting or cause distress.
  • The table is the right height so they can comfortably access food.

Tips for staying hydrated:

  • Keeping hydrated is very important – for you and your care recipient. One way to help with hydration is to make sure liquids are always available. Fill a large mug or water bottle with water and keep it nearby.
  • Add a little juice to water to make it more appealing, if necessary.
  • Make hydration social – drink together.
  • Have different beverages available at mealtime.
  • Encourage foods that are high in water content.

Create a Safe Eating Experience:

  • Double check about any food allergies and food sensitivities.
  • Be aware of swallowing challenges.
  • Ensure safe and successful use of utensils.
  • Be mindful of food safety – food kept at proper temperatures, food not kept out too long if needing to be refrigerated, food cooked appropriately, etc.
  • Wash hands before handling food.
  • Pay attention to your body mechanics when helping someone eat so that you are not placing stress on your back, knees, shoulders, etc.
  • Pay attention to the body mechanics of your care recipient so that they are not straining themselves while eating.

Knowledge Check

Take this quiz to see how you fare in key concepts regarding eating support.

1. Which of these is a part of the eating or drinking process?
2. One way to keep a person hydrated is to encourage foods that are high in water content.
3. What concepts surrounding eating are important for you, as a caregiver, to know? Choose all that apply.
4. What are some signs that your loved one might need to be reminded to drink water, or could be signs that a reminder is not enough? Choose all that apply:
5. Danielle is a quadriplegic. She can communicate verbally and is able to hold objects with her right hand. Imagine you are Danielle’s caregiver. How would you communicate with her to ensure she is involved and you are providing support with eating? Choose all that apply: