More than 1.4 million Americans over the age of 65 live in nursing homes, according to 2008 data from the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration on Aging. Nutrition plays a key role in promoting the health of these elderly nursing home residents. Learning the facts about how nursing homes meet their residents' nutritional and dietary needs can help you learn what to expect and what to watch out for if a nursing home is in your family's future.
Identification
A nursing home is a type of long-term care home that provides living facilities, personal care and medical care for geriatric individuals whose families and communities can't provide adequate care for them. Nutritional needs vary by nursing home resident, depending upon factors such as your overall physical condition, as well as chronic health conditions that you might suffer from, such as heart disease or diabetes. As a rule, daily diets in a nursing home include an assortment of healthy, nutritious foods from the major food groups, including fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain bread products, low-fat dairy products, and beans and lean meats.
Features
In most cases, the head of the nursing home's nutrition program -- generally a registered dietitian -- works in conjunction with a physician to design a nutritionally complete daily diet for nursing home residents. Expect a custom diet if you have just undergone major surgery or have a food-linked health problem, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. If you have trouble eating or are unable to feed yourself, you may require special assistance, such as getting physical help from nursing home support staff or receiving nutrition through a feeding tube, depending upon the cause of your eating difficulties. Nursing home caregivers typically record the amount of food you consume at each meal in an effort to verify that you're getting adequate nutrition.
Challenges
Most nutrition-linked problems in nursing homes relate directly to malnutrition in the form of under-nutrition. Nursing home residents who fail to eat an assortment of nutritious foods from all of the food groups won't be able to provide their bodies with the proper levels of energy and nutrients necessary to maintain good health. Potential problems from under-nutrition include excessive loss of weight, inadequate intake of protein, pressure ulcers and dehydration. Combined with the presence of one or more chronic health conditions common in nursing home residents, this under-nutrition could quickly lead to acute illnesses.
Considerations
State and federal regulations are in place to help prevent serious nutrition issues from occurring in nursing homes, but you should plan on taking a proactive approach when it comes to monitoring your loved one's nutritional intake. When considering placement in a nursing home, talk to the staff about the nutritional program. Arrange a visit during mealtime so you can sample a meal yourself. Is water available on a regular basis? What sort of snack program is in place? Ask to see the facility's policy and procedure manual, which should clearly and completely outline the home's nutritional care plan and protocol. If you have concerns, arrange a prompt appointment with the nursing home administrator or the nutrition program director to discuss and resolve any issues you have regarding your loved one's nutritional needs.
References
- Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Aging: Profile of Older Americans
- National Resource Center on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Aging: Food and Nutrition in Nursing Homes (pdf)
- "Essentials of Life Cycle Nutrition"; Judith Sharlin, PhD, RD and Sari Edelstein, PhD, RD; 2011
- "The 36-Hour Day"; Dr. Peter Rabins and Nancy Mace; 2006
