Salmonella Outbreak in Peanut ButterRecently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended that products containing peanut butter be eliminated from consumer’s diets until further information becomes available. At least 474 people in 43 states have been sickened by peanut butter and peanut paste,…

Nutrition and Aging-The decline in the senses of taste and smell


Nutrition is vitally important for all age groups but is especially a concern for the elderly population. Proper menu planning is critical for providing the essential nutrients that a resident so desperately needs. Older adults…

Making Your Facility Feel Like ‘Home’

Food is an important part of our everyday lives. It’s not just about nutrition and hydration. Food is about psychological, ethnic, cultural and religious issues. Food is about socialization. Because of this, facilities that don’t have a good dining program, that…

Alternate Forms of Hydration in the Summer MonthsIn these hot summer months, the body is begging for liquids.  But instead of reaching for a glass of water, why not eat a slice of watermelon?   A suitable daily allowance for water in adults is 2.5 liters per day, or approximately 2.5…

Alcoholism and NutritionAlcoholism is a complex problem that affects nearly 17.6 million adults in the United States. Heavy alcohol use has adverse affects on nutrition both because it displaces other, more nutritious foods in the diet and because chronic use impairs absorption and metabolism of many nutrients. Over many years…

Diabetes Teaching GuidelinesApproximately 6.5 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes and it is estimated that 50% of all persons in the United States who have diabetes are undiagnosed.  Diabetes is the fourth killer in the United States, usually related to coronary heart disease or stroke.  It is the chief…

Liberalized Renal Diets in Long-Term Care FacilitiesThe American Dietetic Association recommends that long-term care facilities liberalize therapeutic diets to maximize meal intake of residents who are at nutritional risk. In many cases a regular diet improves meal intake, minimizes struggles over dietary compliance, and improves a patient’s quality of life. …

Prepare for the Baby Boomer Generation!

A new group of health care consumers has begun to utilize the services of long term care. These are the Baby Boomers who total approximately 78 million, born between 1946 and 1964. These men and women, some of whom have reached…

The Hospitality Concept and Health Care Food Service

The long term care industry provides meal services to thousands of residents daily.  Providing a meal service that complies with state and federal regulations can be daunting.  It is easy to get so caught up with meeting regulations and day…

Identifying the Need for Feeding AssistanceResidents in long-term care are encouraged to maintain their independence and feed themselves whenever possible.  There are, however, many reasons why a resident may require feeding assistance.  Depending on the severity of the symptoms, from physical problems such as being unable to hold the fork,…