Nutritional Guidelines and Menu Checklist for Residential and Nursing Homes
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2014 Nutritional guidelines and menu checklist for residential and nursing homes Public Health Agency, 12–22 Linenhall Street, Belfast BT2 8BS. Tel: 028 9032 1313. www.publichealth.hscni.net 02/14 Contents Foreword ....................................................................................... 2 Introduction ............................................................................... 3 The eatwell plate .................................................................... 4 The food groups ...................................................................... 6 Nutritional issues for older adults ........................... 9 • Energy ...................................................................................... 9 • Fibre .......................................................................................... 9 • Fluids ...................................................................................... 10 • Iron ........................................................................................... 10 • Zinc ........................................................................................... 11 • Calcium ................................................................................... 11 • Vitamin D ............................................................................... 11 • Omega-3 fatty acids ....................................................... 11 • Other fats .............................................................................. 11 Practical advice for reducing calorie and • Alcohol .................................................................................... 12 fat intake ................................................................................... 30 • Salt ............................................................................................ 12 • Oral health ............................................................................ 12 Recommended physical activity for adults (including adults aged 65 years and over) .......... 31 Summary of main nutritional points for older people .............................................................................. 13 Palliative care .......................................................................... 32 Menu issues for residential and Appendices ................................................................................ 33 nursing homes ......................................................................... 14 Appendix 1: General menu checklist ............................ 33 Appendix 2: Portion sizes .................................................... 37 Menu ideas ................................................................................ 18 Appendix 3: High protein/energy meal ideas ......... 38 Malnutrition and nutritional screening ............ 20 Appendix 4: Food fortification ideas for catering and care staff ........................................................... 42 Guidelines to improve nutritional intake Appendix 5: High protein/energy and food fortification for residents with a shopping ideas .............................................. 43 poor appetite and/or weight loss .......................... 23 Appendix 6: Examples of finger foods ........................ 45 Appendix 7: Finger food meal ideas ............................ 46 Nutrition-related disorders ......................................... 25 Appendix 8: Role of the dietitian .................................... 48 • Dementia .............................................................................. 25 Appendix 9: Useful contacts ............................................ 49 • Dysphagia/swallowing difficulties ........................ 26 • Diabetes ................................................................................ 27 References ................................................................................ 50 • Obesity .................................................................................. 28 • Coeliac disease .................................................................. 29 Bibliography .............................................................................. 51 Nutritional guidelines and menu checklist for residential and nursing homes 2014 1 Foreword In common with other parts of the United Kingdom There is a familiar adage ‘you are what you eat’ (UK) and many other western societies, the number and it is important that the nutritional and dietary of people living to an older age in Northern Ireland needs of people in the care sector are met. Good is increasing. There are now 266,000 people aged food is an important aspect of delivering high quality over 65 years living in Northern Ireland (15% of the care, optimising health and preventing malnutrition. population). This presents significant opportunities We commend these guidelines to all nursing and and challenges to ensure the public health goal for a residential homes with an expectation that they long and healthy life is realised. will contribute to healthier, happier and fulfilled residents. As people age, their requirements change, but a good diet and keeping active can help prevent potential health problems and play a key part in ageing well. Carolyn Harper Although most older people live independently in Director of Public Health, PHA their own homes, some require additional support and a few will need nursing or residential care. Meals and snacks are an important part of anyone’s day, but this is particularly true in residential/nursing care environments, where they create a familiar Pat Cullen structure to the day and provide an opportunity for Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied social interaction as well as nutritious, enjoyable Health Professionals, PHA food. Equally, some residents will have specific health and nutritional needs. This guidance has been developed to help staff understand and meet the nutritional needs of all residents in their care. The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority Kathy Fodey (RQIA) promotes the empowerment of, and positive Director of Regulation and Nursing, RQIA engagement with, residents in all aspects of their care and in operation of the home. Minimum standards and the RQIA inspection process are designed to ensure residents receive a varied diet that meets their nutritional needs in appropriate surroundings. This resource ensures registered managers and care providers have access to guidelines that help them achieve those aims. It also provides practical nutrition advice and menu guidance. 2 Nutritional guidelines and menu checklist for residential and nursing homes 2014 Introduction A healthy diet is one based on a variety of foods Considerations eaten in the correct proportions to provide the correct amount of energy (calories) and nutrients • Care home populations have changed over (protein, fats, carbohydrates, fibre, vitamins and recent years, which has seen an increase minerals). This will ensure there is adequate nutrition in complex nutritional needs and younger every day to maintain body processes and protect residents, who may have more diverse nutritional from ill health. requirements. Food is not only necessary for life, but is also a • Care homes need to ensure they are meeting source of great pleasure, with important social, individual nutritional requirements, which can cultural and religious functions.1 vary among residents. It is acknowledged that within the care sector some • Following the introduction of mandatory residents will have specific health needs that may nutritional screening, more than a third (37%) of impact on their nutrition. residents recently admitted and screened in care homes were malnourished, with nearly a quarter Aims of the guidelines classed as high risk (23%). The prevalence of malnutrition was greater in nursing homes than • To encourage and support the provision of a in residential homes. As a result, there has been balanced diet to individuals in residential and an increase in referrals to nutrition and dietetic nursing homes in Northern Ireland. services.2 • To provide additional information on older adults’ dietary needs and related nutrition disorders. • To highlight the importance of identifying and addressing malnutrition. • To provide practical guidance and tools for menu planning and modifying food and drinks. Nutritional guidelines and menu checklist for residential and nursing homes 2014 3 The eatwell plate • To understand the needs of care home residents, • The eatwell plate is an illustration that helps us it is important to first understand the principle of understand healthy eating. It applies to children healthy eating. aged over five years, adolescents and adults, including older people in good health. • Eating the right food to keep healthy and well is important throughout life, especially as we get • The eatwell plate is not appropriate for babies, older. It is also important to eat a good variety children aged under five years, frail older people, of foods as well as the right proportions. The or people who are ill, as they may have more eatwell plate gives more details about achieving specific dietary requirements. a healthy balance. • The eatwell plate is to be used along with the • We should aim to eat a variety of foods from the General menu checklist (Appendix 1) as the five food groups in the proportions shown on the basis for meal planning and menu choice. eatwell plate. This will provide the wide range of nutrients the body needs to remain healthy and function properly.