Nutrition in Nursing Homes

There are many ways to nourish residents in nursing homes. The nutritional plans and diets vary, but some of the diets in nursing homes are not the diets you hear about on television or read about in newspapers, magazines or on the Internet. These diets are specially designed to keep patients well-fed and hydrated.

No Salt, No Sugar

• Nursing homes have to take into account the health of their residents. Some residents with diabetes may have kidney problems and need to be put on a low-sodium or no-salt diet. Other residents who have trouble producing insulin in their pancreas are advised to eat a sugar-free diet.

Thickening Agents

• Parts of a diet plan are designed to make it easier for residents to swallow. Some residents even have a hard time swallowing liquids. To help, thickening agents/powders are made to put into the drinks of residents so that they do not aspirate liquid down the windpipe accidentally. The thickening agents make swallowing an easier task for the residents.

Mechanical Soft

• Another way to help a resident get his nutrition is to make the food easier to chew. Some residents have lost some or all of their teeth and cannot wear dentures. The food is processed by machine to look like meal, baby food or mashed potatoes. This diet is named the mechanical soft diet.

Liquid Diets

• Other ways to provide nutrition depend on the time of day, the type of schedule a resident is on, or the type of medical procedure scheduled. Some blood tests require fasting. When a resident returns to eat, liquids are introduced first before solids are given to the resident. When a person is going to have surgery, sometimes a postsurgical, clear liquid diet is suggested. A resident who has a hard time holding down solid foods will be put on a diet consisting of broth, Jell-o, juice, milk, pudding, sherbet and water.

Hyperalimentation

• Some residents cannot use their mouth or esophagus to consume food. These residents still need nutrition. One method of feeding these residents is intravenously (through a major vein). This is called hyperalimentation or TPN (total parenteral nutrition). A special solution is made to be administered through the vein so the resident gets adequate nutrients. Another TPN method of feeding is through a feeding tube. Some feeding tubes go through the nostrils and straight to the stomach. Other feeding tubes go though an artificial opening in the stomach to feed the resident.

Residents Need Nutrition

• Every measure is taken at nursing homes to ensure that nutritious meals are given to the residents. Still, even with these measures dehydration and malnutrition can be a problem. Nursing homes continue to make strides to provide proper nutrition to patients.