Nursing home food is an important aspect of proper care. Some nursing home residents have certain food and nutritional requirements, in addition to special preparation instructions prescribed by their physician. Mealtimes in a nursing home also provide a much-needed social situation for residents. The nutritional and social significance of mealtimes should be a concern for both nursing home residents and nursing home staff.
A nursing home resident's physician is responsible for identifying and making known any special dietary needs for nursing home food. The nursing home's dietician or food service manager prepares menus meeting a resident's nutritional requirements. Nursing homes must meet certain requirements for nursing home food.
- Nursing homes must provide nursing home food for residents on restricted diets. These diets may include low-or no salt diets, low fat diets, or no-sugar diets. Nursing homes should attempt to make these meals flavorful while sticking to the restriction.
- Nursing homes must present nursing home food in a sanitary and appetizing fashion. If the food is not clean and does not look tasty, a resident may not eat or stick to their recommended diet.
- Nursing homes must follow safe cooking guidelines for nursing home food to ensure health. For example, well-done meats and fully cooked eggs to prevent food borne illnesses.
- Nursing homes must provide edible, quality meals. Nursing home food should be tasty. Hot food must be hot and cold foods must be cold.
- Nursing homes must provide for residents on special diets prescribed by a physician or because of religious reasons.
- Nursing homes must provide nursing home food meeting the recommended dietary allowances and any special nutritional requirements.
- Nursing homes must serve meals regularly, at least three times a day, with certain time limits between meals set by the state.
- Nursing homes must provide sufficient fluids of different kinds to maintain proper hydration.
- Nursing homes must provide nutritious snacks to residents.
- Nursing homes must consider personal preference in serving nursing home food. If a resident refuses the food served, the nursing home must offer a similarly nutritious substitute.
- Nursing homes must listen and react to complaints about nursing home food or food service.
- Nursing homes must meet the specific needs of residents when serving nursing home food. Specific needs may include:
- Help for those requiring assistance eating
- Medications served with food when prescribed
- Food served already chopped, ground, pre-cut, and/or pureed