Page 2 - Nourish.pdf

©2008 Action Pact, Inc. 2 www.culturechangenow.com
Whether yours is a traditional or transforming facility, and whether you are deep into culture change or just beginning the journey, your elders’ quality of life can be greatly enhanced by choices in dining. This fact, consistently upheld by in-house satisfaction surveys, is now borne out by professional research in two recent studies.
The accompanying DVD, Nourish the Body and
Soul, will guide your dreams through each stage
of transformation. You’ll see real life situations of self-directed caregiver teams working to implement essential changes, and elders and staff together enjoying resident-centered dining. Filmed in 13 pioneering nursing homes around the country, this DVD will give you smiles that energize your quest for change.
The rst, Bene ts of Snacking in Older Americans,
by Zizza et al, validates the importance of making elders’ favorite foods accessible 24/7. “Snacking is an important dietary behavior among older adults...(and) may ensure older adults consume diets adequate in energy,” it concludes.
While there are as many redesign options as there are nursing homes, everyone will face some particulars. For example, how will you:
The second, Changes in Type of Foodservice and Dining Room Environment Preferentially Bene t Institutionalized Seniors with Low Body Mass Indexes, by Desai et al, con rms the impact of elders’ surroundings on their nutritional intake, stating: “Bulk foodservice and a home-like dining environment optimize energy intake in individuals at high risk for malnutrition, particularly those with low BMIs and cognitive impairment.”
ü Develop dining schedules and meal plans, coordinate timing and logistics;
Both studies are published in the September 2007 Journal of the American Dietetic Association.
Action Pact has put together articles from our website to help you study and work through these and other questions to create a new dining culture. (The Action Pact workbook, Life Happens in the Kitchen, is also a valuable guide to transformation.)
Start where you are. Dream big. Then work hard to make your dreams reality.
Putting-residents- rst begins with dining. How often have we watched residents leave the table with the nutrients so important for health untouched on their plates? Traditional tray service limits our opportunities to change this scenario. But now we can learn from the culture change pioneers how to “walk the talk”
TRADITIONAL facilities can begin by offering residents more dining choices on “special event” days.
TRANSFORMATIONAL facilities can consider a variety of systematic changes in dining that honor resident choice and individuality.
of resident-centered dining and give residents more options for improving their health and enjoyment.
NEIGHBORHOODS can begin to create home by cooking meals to order and involving residents in meal planning and preparation.
But remember, one plan does not t all. Work with your dining team to give residents what they want. We hope Nourish the Body and Soul leads you to discover what to do today, tomorrow and for many tomorrows to come. There is certain to be more discoveries by new pioneers—perhaps one day we will use your organization’s stories to show the way.
HOUSEHOLDS are true homes where residents can choose their meals and direct their lives.
Linda Bump MPH RD LD LNHA
ü Make elders aware of choices and involve them in menu development;
ü Move food prep closer to residents;
ü Identify the small things that make dining
enjoyable and establish the kitchen as the heart of the home?