If prospective families are brought into the dining room and see food attractively served and the residents eating, they feel better about nursing home placement. One administrator told this writer that the residents have two basic concerns when they come to the nursing home. Now this article comes full circle, back to the DON as the coordinator of care in the long term care facility. The DON can work with the dietitian to have the physician prescribe less restrictive diets and eliminate unnecessary drugs. The DON may want to lead a discussion at staff meetings, using this article as a resource, regarding the various roles of the health care team in preventing weight loss.
DONs are truly an important part of the weight loss prevention team.
Like a hostess serving honored guests, the dietary manager should perform the following tasks to ensure that quality meals are served to the resident's satisfaction. Check that all food items needed for the meal are available. Check temperatures of food. Note when carts leave kitchen, arrive and when last resident is served. Check to see residents in room are sitting in an appropriate position for eating.