A patient with stage 2 Alzheimer’s disease has lost five pounds over the past mo

1 -- For the patient with stage 2 Alzheimer’s disease, nutrition and hydration problems arise, simply because the patient is not able to complete activities of daily living. Increased confusion, frustration, and wandering occurs during this stage. Providing the patient with opportunities to have snacks throughout the day, and giving him or her foods that are easy to eat “on the go,” like fruit slices, protein shakes, or finger foods such as sandwiches and cookies, are ways to offset the nutritional deficits that occur simply because the patient is not interested in sitting down at the table for a meal. A nutritionist could be involved at some point, and there might not be a problem with the patient’s teeth or chewing/swallowing mechanisms. Because of altered mental status, the patient might or might not be able to state what food choices he or she prefers.