Food Service Training
Food Safety & Sanitation
Adults aged 65 and older face a higher risk of hospitalization from food-borne illnesses due to age-related changes in organs and weakened immune responses. To prevent such illnesses, we mandate that all kitchen staff undergo food safety training and earn a Serve Safe Food Handler certification from the National Restaurant Association. We also keep Certified Dietary Managers’ licenses updated, as they must hold an active Serve Safe Manager Certification. These certifications are recognized by ACHA and the Joint Commission. Additionally, the RD and CDM collaborate to ensure menus are tasty, nutritious, and compliant with state nutrition standards for long-term care.
Therapeutic Diets
Many therapeutic diets can address chronic illness in long-term care, including Consistent Carbohydrate, Heart Healthy, Renal, and Sodium Restricted. Preferences like Vegetarian or Lactose-Free are also respected. A Fortified Foods diet may be requested by a Dietitian for poor appetite and weight loss. Recent CMS law changes allow reimbursement for Fortified Foods if addressing significant weight loss or malnutrition. MDS coordinators should collaborate with RDs to implement these changes. Resident autonomy is crucial; their dietary preferences must be respected and documented, prioritizing individual needs and desires.
Modified Textures
In the U.S., two standardized systems for modified diet textures exist: the National Dysphagia Diet (NDD) and the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI). The NDD is a national system, while IDDSI is a global initiative aimed at simplifying diet and liquid textures for better international understanding thats tanslates well across languages. Although IDDSI is not yet mandatory in the U.S., it is strongly encouraged by the global medical community, and many acute care institutions have adopted it. IDDSI offers more levels and details, allowing for a tailored nutritional approach to meet individual needs. Speech Language Pathologists can collaborate with RDs to implement IDDSI training.
