By
Cynthia K. Klinowski, RN, MSN
In
a follow up to my previous post, “What’s
on the Menu?” , guest blogger Cynthia K Klinowski offers us the following
thoughts:
Good nutrition is eating a well-balanced diet every
day. A basic well-balanced diet is the
same for everyone, including the elderly.
Although older people need the same nutrients as younger people, in most
cases they do not require as many calories.
The challenge is to choose foods that are nutrient dense, that is, high in nutrients in relation to
calories. For example, skim milk is
considered more nutrient dense than whole milk because it has the same nutrient
content but contains less fat and fewer calories.
 |
| 040 The Dining Hall (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Elements of a well balanced diet include water and
five vital nutrients: proteins, fats,
carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. A
nutritious, well-balanced diet for ALF residents is composed of foods from the
basic four food groups: Fruits and
Vegetables, Bread and Cereals, Milk and Milk Products, and Meat and Meat
Substitutes. These food groups supply
key nutrients.
Menu planning for an ALF include many
components. In addition to being nutritious
and well-balanced, there are time constraints.
No more than 14 hours may elapse between the end of the evening meal and
the beginning of the morning meal. All
other meals should be spaced so that not less than 2 hours, nor more than 6
hours elapses between the end of one meal and the beginning of the next. Planned snacks must also be incorporated into
the meal plan.
 |
| English: Balanced Diet (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Menus must be planned at least one week (preferably
a month) in advance. All menus, both
regular and therapeutic, must be reviewed annually by a registered
dietician. Portion sizes must also be indicated
on the menu. Meals served in an ALF are
required to meet the Tenth Edition of the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs)
established by the Food and Nutrition board, adjusted for age, sex and
activity.
While following all of the rules and regs the ALF
menu must also provide foods which are familiar and maintain a connection to
the resident’s past life experiences, especially those that recall pleasant
times. Many older people prefer familiar
items and will not eat new foods. This
provides an additional challenge for the dietary department.
 |
| chef (Photo credit: StuRap) |
So how does the Dietary Department prepare
interesting, tantalizing, delicious meals?
By hiring well trained credentialed chefs all of the pieces are brought
together by incorporating the food pyramid concept. Substituting within the same food group and
varying the foods that are served.
Trying new foods as each food group has many items from which to
choose. Use fresh food whenever
possible, especially when seasonal foods are available from specific
regions. Prepare foods in different ways
using new and revised menus.
One visit to an ALF will illustrate how important
mealtimes are to the residents. They
sometime begin lining up 30 minutes or more before serving time in anticipation
of the meal. This being said, the last
thing anyone wants is to disappoint the residents with a meal experience that
is not a positive one. The meal time
provides socialization and interaction with other residents, dietary staff and
the visitors. The meal table is one of
the last bastions of social grace.
Providing a gracious elegant dining area adhering to the rules for
proper table etiquette enhance the dining experience. Remember that the ALF setting is very much a
part of the Hospitality Industry and service must show it.
If you find you need an Assisted Living Facility,
Nursing Home or any other type of Senior Facility, I hope you will
consider www.seniorfacilityfinder.com.
If you would like to contribute your thoughts and
ideas, please leave them in our comment section. We want to hear them. Helping
people care for themselves or their loved ones is what we care about.
We look forward to reading yours.
Cynthia K. Klinowski, RN, MSN, is a co-owner and
senior medical officer of several Assisted Living Facilities in Florida and a
guest blogger for SeniorFacilityFinder.com
Bob Gregory is an advocate for
Seniors and is one of the founders of www.seniorfacilityfinder.com. At SeniorFacilityFinder.com, we are dedicated
to helping families get the Elder Care help they need without having to provide
their personal information! If find you need an assisted living facility or
other type of senior facility, please consider www.seniorfacilityfinder.com
No comments:
Post a Comment