Dietary Requirements for Nursing Homes

There are guidelines and requirements in place to ensure that the dietary needs of nursing home residents are taken care of. Residents should look forward to mealtimes, which should be pleasant and social parts of the day. Nursing homes must be attentive to specific nutritional needs. Some residents may need help with eating, while others may require nutritional supplements. A few residents may even need to be fed via a tube.

Federal Regulations

• A good diet is essential to a nursing home resident's well-being

  Nursing homes must comply with the federal requirements for long-term care, which are described in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations. They stipulate that each resident of a nursing home have an assessment and a written care plan. A nursing home resident's nutritional needs must be considered in the assessment and plan, whether because of illness or other health reasons. A resident with diabetes, for instance, will have special diet considerations.

Dietary Reference Intake

• Nursing homes are required to provide nutritionally balanced meals.

  The Dietary Reference Intake 1997 is the federal government's guidelines on dietary intake. It applies to organizations such as the military and nursing homes. The DRI takes into account the most recent research on the amounts of food people need to eat for maximum health and well-being. The DRI also gives guidance on what constitutes a balanced diet. Many nursing homes seek professional nutritional guidance before planning their menus to ensure that they comply with the DRI.

Nursing Home Policies

• The nursing home's handbook and policies should set down its provisions regarding meals and mealtimes. Residents should be provided with three meals a day, and drinks should be given at other times. Residents should have choices, and religious and cultural needs should be met. Food likes and dislikes, and allergies should be considered. Hot food should be hot and cold food should be cold. Meals should be eaten in a congenial environment, and assistance should be given to residents who need it.