Grandma’s Mealtime Mix-Up: When Dementia Tricks the Appetite
If you’ve ever heard your grandmother with dementia insist she’s already eaten when you know she hasn’t, you’re not alone. This common occurrence can be frustrating and worrying for caregivers, but understanding why it happens can help.
Dementia messes with memory and perception. Your grandma’s brain might be pulling up old memories of meals and mixing them up with the present. So when you offer her lunch, she genuinely believes she just finished eating[1][3].
Time gets fuzzy for people with dementia. Your grandma might think a meal from yesterday or even last week happened just moments ago. Her internal clock is off, making it hard to keep track of when she last ate[3].
Sometimes, dementia affects the part of the brain that signals hunger. Your grandma might not feel hungry, so she assumes she must have eaten recently[9].
Routine changes can throw things off too. If mealtimes shift or the dining room looks different, it might confuse your grandma about whether she’s eaten or not[3].
Certain medications can mess with appetite or cause nausea, making your grandma less interested in food. She might interpret this lack of hunger as having already eaten[9].
So what can you do? Try not to argue. Instead, offer small, frequent snacks or meals throughout the day. Make mealtimes social and enjoyable. Use visual cues like setting the table to signal it’s time to eat. And if you’re worried about nutrition, talk to her doctor about strategies to ensure she’s getting enough to eat[3][9].
Remember, your grandma isn’t being difficult on purpose. Her brain is playing tricks on her. With patience and understanding, you can help make mealtimes less stressful for everyone involved.
