Maintaining proper nutrition is important for overall health and wellbeing, in particular for the elderly. Loss of taste and smell, depression, and loneliness are common and underappreciated risk factors for decreased food intake, and therefore poor nutrition, in this population. The elderly also may be unable to drive to buy groceries because of vision loss or cognitive impairment. Studies show a strong association between weight loss and poor outcomes in persons with cognitive disorders. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the older population, including those with dementia, have consistent access to an adequate supply of healthy food. You can search for food pantries and other subsidized sources of food through this link.
Local Sources of Nutrition Support
Natural Remedies
Rather than list individual vendors of CBD and related products, we have chosen to provide educational and media links about this subject which is relatively new to the Texas medical professionals who care for the elderly. Because their brain may have greater sensitivity to mind altering substances, you should never provide CBD or THC to a person with dementia without first consulting with their medical provider.
- CBD products are everywhere in Texas (Texas Tribune, Jan. 23, 2020)
- Austin CBD brands driving the cannabusiness boom (Tribeza, Feb. 2020)
- Texas medical marijuana (Texas.gov)
- Austin CBD seller demystifies the cannabis landscape (CultureMap Austin, Sept. 1, 2021)
Supplements
Many patients and their caregivers ask about the use of supplements to prevent or treat Alzheimer’s Disease and other cognitive disorders. When there is a proven vitamin deficiency, most clinicians would recommend treatment with vitamin supplements to correct the deficiency. Most clinicians would also
In the absence of such a deficiency, there is a diversity of opinions about supplements in the medical community. May clinicians do not advocate for nutritional supplements as long as one consumes a healthy, well-balanced diet. There are plenty of warnings from generally well-respected organizations against the use of supplements (Harvard Health Publishing 1 and 2). Other organization have published moderately favorable information about supplements and brain health (University Hospitals). Unfortunately, there is a general lack of human data based on well designed, clinical trials to know with greater certainty what supplements may be helpful, without benefit, or potentially harmful.