[Nutrition of Alzheimer's patients in the family setting]

Most of the patients diagnosed of Alzheimer's disease are still living at home with their relatives. It is important to know their clinical state, nutritional habits and attitudes toward their illness in order to improve their quality of life.

Patients who are members of the Valencia Association of Alzheimer's Disease Relatives, who live with their relatives. Data collected were: gender, staging of dementia, time since diagnosis, weight, nutritional habits, food consumption, dysphagia, complications presented and information received by relatives.

241 patients, 70% were female, mean age 76 years old, 52% of patients had the diagnosis given between 3-5 years ago, 48% suffer severe dementia (GDS > 6), Weight loss was found in 31% and 98% of patients maintain oral intake of food. A well balanced diet was present in 24% of patients and fluid intake higher than 4 glasses in 28%. Food processing was done at home in 91% of cases, of whom 40% were puree food, 26% presented dysphagia to liquids and 19% to solid food. Regarding caregivers: 5% has received no information related to Alzheimer's Disease, but 50% has no information related to nutrition.

Almost all the patients received oral nutrition and despite of severity of dementia and dysphagia they are receiving a quite well balanced diet. Fluid intake is generally poor and many patients are loosing weight, other complications are not very relevant. There is an important lack of information related to the nutritional bases of these patients and to how food processing can be improved as the disease progresses.