Assisted eating

Do

Come to the table with everything you need.
Sit on the side of the person where they can best pay attention.
Talk to the person about what is going on; tell them what meal it is and what is on the plate; ask if they want that particular food item; let them know what you are doing.
Use the appropriate size spoon.
Raise the spoon to a level where the person can see it.
Give the person enough time to open their mouth.
If the person can bring their hand up to their mouth, let them wipe their own mouth, or provide subtle help.
Offer drinks regularly to moisten the mouth, wash food down and provide hydration.
Complete a meal with appropriate closing remarks.

Walk away from a person once mealtime has begun unless you excuse yourself.
Speak in conversation that does not include the person.
Give a person food you have not identified first.
Put too much food on the spoon - if a lot remains on the person’s lips you probably have.
Mix foods together unless you know that is what the person likes.
Hover a spoon in front of a person.
Use a spoon to scrape food off a person’s lips, teeth or gums.
Use a bib to wipe a person’s mouth.
Pack up and walk away at the end of a meal without acknowledgement.

Reviewed 18 February 2016

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