Malnutrition is an issue for two out of five nursing home residents. Longer life spans result in an increased incidence of debilitation, which increases care time. Nursing home staff often don't have enough time to help patients eat their meals. A few changes can reverse this trend.
More time is needed for assessing and monitoring nutritional status.
Incorporating medical nutrition therapy into the care plan of every patient will help outline individual nutritional needs and the amount of time needed for meals. And, nursing homes need approval to train more staff or volunteers to help with resident feedings. If you have a family member who is in a nursing home, check out how their nutrition is evaluated, the time they have to eat, and who is available to help them eat if needed.