People who have dementia can easily become malnourished, even when their caregivers are doing the best they can. Malnutrition and dehydration contribute to the person’s overall poor health, increase his suffering, and shorten his life. Malnutrition affects the way the entire body functions, including how quickly a person recovers from an illness and how quickly a wound heals. It is possible to be overweight and still not be getting needed protein, minerals, or vitamins. People who have difficulty swallowing or who have had a stroke are especially at risk of malnutrition.
