If you're looking for ways to help your elderly loved one with dementia, you might consider changing their diet. The condition can affect the ability to recognize food, as well as how they eat it. Some people also experience difficulty swallowing. This can make it difficult to communicate food preferences and even to get a proper meal.Weight loss can be a challenge for many older adults.  elderly wandering It may be especially difficult for those with Alzheimer's or other types of dementia. But it is important to keep your loved one healthy and to stay on a healthy weight.Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine have looked at patterns of weight gain in a group of older people. In the study, they measured participants' weight at annual visits. They found that the older adults who were diagnosed with dementia lost twice as much weight as the individuals without the condition.People with advanced Alzheimer's disease may lose their sense of taste, smell, and ability to recognize foods. This can cause them to consume more calories than they need. And they may forget to eat.There is a connection between obesity and dementia. Studies have shown that middle-aged individuals with a high body mass index (BMI) are more likely to develop dementia. However, those with a low BMI are at a lower risk for the disease.A team of international researchers used data from the Framingham Heart Study to look at the relationship between dementia and weight. Over a four-decade period, the participants in the study had their weights weighed every two or three years.