Fruity Friday at Hawkhill

The ladies and gentlemen at Hawkhill House in Milltimber had a fruity Friday with Exotic fruits.People living with dementia can have problems with eating and drinking so it is important to try and increase appetites and interest in food and drink to maintain a balanced diet. At Hawkhill we find food tasting a great activity to keep the residents interested in food and also a way to entertain.The residents enjoyed new tastes such as pomegranate, passion fruit, banana, pear, raspberries, blueberries and red currants to name a few. It is important to make food look and smell appealing by using different tastes, colours and smells which can stimulate someone's appetite.By keeping the food portions small in a tasting it isn't too daunting for them trying the flavours, and these fruity flavours are perfect as they are sweet and some are fairly strong so they are able to taste them. The fruits were a mix of harder and softer textures so that all the residents could join in.This food tasting activity is the perfect opportunity to encourage residents to eat especially as today was a game. Each residents then had to taste the fruit and guess what it was. It also provided an opportunity for the residents to talk about food and flavours from their childhood, which can also be used to encourage appetite.Hawkhill House provides specialist nursing and dementia care in a purpose built environment for up to 43 elderly people.If you would like to find out more about life at Hawkhill House and the care we offer, or to request a meeting with our Home Manager, please contact us on 0808 223 5322 or hawkhill@CaringHomes.org.