The following was taken from The Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Education  http://www.alzinfo.org/alzheimers-treatment-maintaining.asp

People with Alzheimer's should eat well-balanced, nutrient-rich meals, but a special diet is usually not necessary. However, even healthy older people experience changes in eating habits as they age: Food may not smell or taste the same; it may become more difficult to chew and digest food, and our cells may not be able to utilize the energy from food as efficiently. These problems may be more pronounced in people with Alzheimer's and may be compounded by other challenges posed by the disease. In addition, Alzheimer's may cause appetite control systems in the brain to malfunction as nerve cells in those areas deteriorate, resulting in extreme eating behaviors (overeating or not eating at all).

In early stages of the disease, people with Alzheimer's may have difficulty preparing meals. They may forget they have food in the oven or cook something and forget to eat it. Step-by-step written or verbal instructions clearly delineating what to do to prepare and eat meals may be beneficial in such cases.

Food preparation problems may progress to difficulty eating. Nerve cell death eventually steals the ability to recognize thirst or hunger. At the same time, depth perception may be compromised due to changes in the visual and "mapping" areas of the brain, making the process of eating more frustrating. The person may no longer know how to use a knife or fork and may lose interest in food altogether.

Severe eating problems put the person with Alzheimer's at risk for weight loss, dehydration and malnutrition. See your doctor if you notice significant weight loss or changes in eating behavior. Ask about ways to increase your loved one's food intake and find out if nutritional supplementation might be warranted. Keep in mind that supplements should be used with caution and only under a doctor's supervision, as they may interact with prescription medications.

There are common foods that are high risk choking hazards for people who have Alzheimer's or related dementia, especially if the person is in the later stages of the disease.  Caregivers should be cautious with these foods:

• Nuts - peanuts, almonds, cashews, and so forth.  These maybe swallowed whole raising the risk of choking.
• Hard candy - similar to nuts, these are small enough and hard and can be swallowed whole.  Cough drops pose the same risk.
• Peanut Butter - becomes a clump in a persons's throat and can increase the risk of choking.
• Popcorn-the small hard seeds can go down the wrong path and end up in the wind pipe.
• Hotdogs - the circumference of the hotdog is close to the same size as the airway (treachia) and can easily get lodged if not chewed enough.

For signs of choking and procedures to follow if a loved has a blocked airway follow the link below to

MayoClinic.com

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