Caring for someone with eating problems

Here are some suggestions for carers about coping with food preparation and mealtimes:

• Don’t be surprised if the person you’re caring for finds their tastes change from day to day throughout their treatments.
• Try to be flexible about when mealtimes might be, rather than trying to keep to an old routine.
• As you know when their appetite is at its best, you can treat them to their favourite foods at those times.
• If someone’s sense of taste or smell has changed it can sometimes help to serve food cold or at room temperature.
• Use plastic cutlery if the person affected by cancer notices a metallic taste in their mouth.
• If the person you’re caring for finds that certain cooking smells make them feel sick, prepare food in a different room if possible. Serve food in a well-ventilated room.
• Be aware of how energy supplements can be used to add energy to everyday meals and drinks, for example you could try adding fortified milk to tea or coffee (see our section on the building-up diet).
• Try to talk openly to the person you care for about their eating problems and the different ways you could both manage it. This can help you both feel more in control of the situation.
• Take special care while preparing food when the person you care for may be at risk of infections. The doctors or dietitian at the hospital will be able to advise you about this.

 

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Watch Ciarán's story of caring
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Ciaran shares his experiences of looking after someone with cancer.