Living Gluten-Free
by Tricia Thompson, MS, RD, The Gluten-Free Dietitian

This blog recently covered gluten-free school lunches for children. But what about meals for those at the other end of the age spectrum? Specifically, the elderly who require gluten-free meals in nursing homes?

As an adult child you may be concerned about a parent living in a nursing home who must follow a gluten-free diet. Or, you may be concerned about your own later years and how you will manage if and when you have to enter a nursing home.

So, what can we do to ensure that our parents receive the gluten-free diet they need? And what can we do to plan for our possible future gluten-free needs in a nursing home?

I recently asked Ronni Alicea, MBA, RD, a nutrition consultant who works with health care facilities, including nursing homes and assisted living communities, to weigh-in on this issue. She is the owner of Celinal Foods (www.celinalfoods.com) makers of gluten-free food kits used by food service operations.

Are nursing homes required to provide gluten-free meals for their residents with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity?

Healthcare facilities are required by their license to provide the diet a doctor prescribes. This is called a Therapeutic Diet, meaning the diet is used to treat a medical condition. Menus are planned to provide adequate calories and protein and meet the DRI (Dietary Reference Intake) for vitamins and minerals.

Every state has a person called an Ombudsman that will assist if you feel the facility is not adequately providing good care, this includes diet management. The phone number is required to be posted in plain view at the facility.

When trying to arrange gluten-free meals for a parent or relative, do you recommend starting with the dietitian on staff?

Although hospital admissions are not planned, individuals often select their long term care options. When selecting a nursing home, first discuss the diet with administration. As we know, gluten free diet management impacts every aspect of life.

In addition to receiving properly prepared gluten free meals we need to assure that (1) nursing reviews medications and snacks, (2) the activity department includes gluten free options in their activities, and (3) rehabilitation therapies are aware. It is vital that a person following a gluten-free diet does not isolate themselves because of the fear or perception that the staff does not understand their needs.

The facility administrator will coordinate the interdepartmental education with the guidance of the facility dietitian. Once you are comfortable that the facility is committed to continuing your parent’s gluten free lifestyle, it is time to discuss menu planning with the dietitian.

Are all nursing homes required to have a dietitian on staff... and are dietitians on site every day?

Healthcare facilities are required to have adequate staffing to meet their client’s needs. This includes having a dietitian available. The time a dietitian is available depends on the size of the facility and the complexity of the medical conditions. The food service department will be managed by a manager to assure the therapeutic diets are prepared properly. The dietitian will review the menus and medical condition to monitor that the gluten-free diet order is followed.

What type of medical information should be brought to the nursing ...    Continue

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