Feeding the person is usually done while the person is in a vertical position and seated in a chair. However, their attention is directed toward the food with little or no attention directed to maintaining their sense of balance. After being fed, they usually go to sleep because they are worn out. The time being fed does not seem to meet the need to be in a vertical position because the signs of distress still appear.
Prevent malnutrition, dehydration and choking by feeding a pureed diet, with thickening liquids. Total assistance is required.
While the person can cooperate with hand-over-hand feeding for a minute or two, fatigue usually limits the nutritional intake.
The Caring Mug with two slanted handles for a proper drinking angle allows the person to suck on the spouted covered lid in order to sense and use voluntary motor control of the lips and tongue.
When functioning within ACL 1.8, hand-over-hand feeding may elicit mouth-opening and a brief sense of "feeding one's self " but the nutritional intake is small due to slow information processing speed and fatigue.
Position the person in a secure properly-aligned seated position. Set up a scoop dish with finger foods such as lima beans or small marshmallows that require little or no chewing. Initiate movements and provide continuous physical guidance and / or directives to sustain an action.
Carers may begin to try a small amount of finger food, with a pureed diet and liquid supplements as needed to ensure adequate nutrition.