After an encouraging trip to a new doctor, we hid from the rain at one of Mitzi’s most favorite restaurants. Picking places to eat isn’t a super simple task, so we tend to have a running list of the spots that are conducive to dining with this disease. These are some of our best tips and things I take into consideration for an enjoyable meal out:
• Salads are available (you have never seen anyone love lettuce as much as this gal!).~They have chicken or fish because most other meats are not her favorite due to a texture preference these days. Oftentimes, in later phases of the disease, it is difficult to get people with Alzheimer’s to eat, but if you find something they love, you’ve at least got that to offer them.~I always ask for the salad or entree to be chopped (if possible) because it’s difficult for her to cut things up. Generally, when you use the word “chopped,” it is understood and done without question. Other times, I just grab her plate and cut everything up and then pass it to her without saying anything.~I don’t even bother with the overwhelming task of going over the menu options. Alzheimer’s significantly affects your ability to process visual information, so reading is stressful…as is making choices. I have a long list I’ve learned through our time together of her preferences, and it takes the pressure off of her to make a decision if I just say something like, “Do you want your usual here? You always love the __________…” She always looks relieved and grateful that I didn’t make her deal with decision-making.
• They have quieter booths available.~Noise is quite a factor. Loud sounds can be pretty jarring to her.
• They aren’t pushy about turning tables.~Mitzi takes her time and enjoys every single chew (as I joke with her). It is not unusual for a meal to take an hour and a half for her to eat. Servers will often offer To Go boxes nonstop unless I have made it clear we’re hanging out til she finishes. (I usually say, “We have plenty of time and want to enjoy ourselves. Feel free to bring the check, etc.”)
• There is a location to sit in that’s less distracting.~I ask for a “quiet corner” or similar and will wait for such a spot to become available.~As much as possible, I try to seat her facing a wall or the area with the least traffic so she has an easier time staying focused.
• Ask for lots of napkins.~Her depth perception can be “off” at times, so napkins are our friend.
• Always, always, always tip well. ~Often, I will leave a note explaining why we took so long, made special requests, etc. Even if the wait staff was pushy, annoyed, or less than patient, I tip well. And then I definitely include a simple note. Nothing nasty. Hopefully they will be more understanding the next time they encounter a similar situation.
