Is your facility equipped to handle the population considered “the oldest old”? According to a report from the National Institute on Aging and the U.S. Census Bureau, 20% of people in their early ninety’s, 30% of people in their late ninety’s, and 40% of centenarians live in nursing homes. To read the entire U.S. Census report on the aging of the population, click here.
For additional information read this blog post from McKnight’s Long-Term Care Newsletter.
These older, often sicker, customers and residents require a different approach to care giving and come with many medical needs. The various disabilities and illnesses can impact the way your food service department is designed and functions. Do you have all of the equipment to produce all of the theraputic diets your population needs? Are you able to provide adaptive eating utensils when eating becomes difficult as well as indicate who get’s what on tray cards? Are your menus designed to be able to quickly produce pureed or ground alternatives? Do you have recipes for gluten free or heart healthy meals?
SureQuest’s ThreeSquares OnDemand product line can help take the stress out of caring for these special customers and residents, making your job easier and your customers happier. To find out more about how we can meet the needs of an aging population please contact us or register for Demo With Dianne.
Posted in:Menus, November 2011, Nutrition in the Older Adult, Theraputic Diet
