Weight Loss Prevention
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ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS TO EAT IN THE DINING ROOM
All residents should be encouraged to eat their meals in the dining room for several reasons. First, most residents say they prefer to eat their meals in the dining room. The fact that many remain in their rooms for breakfast and dinner may reflect the routine established by the staff more than the residents' preferences. Second, presence in the dining room allows the staff to provide time-efficient feeding assistance to small groups of residents, rather than one-on-one assistance, which is the only option if residents eat in their rooms. Third, dining in a common room promotes social interaction among residents and staff, which in turn stimulates food and fluid intake, according to several studies (1, 3-6).
Recent research shows that facilities with a policy that all residents should eat all meals in the dining room have a lower prevalence of weight loss and significantly better performance on multiple measures of nutritional care quality, including the provision of feeding assistance. In these facilities, nurse aides on the 11 pm to 7 am shift typically begin helping residents out of bed and providing morning care in preparation for the breakfast meal.
Facilities with limited space in dining areas can schedule multiple servings per meal. Minimally, all residents who require mealtime feeding assistance should be taken to the dining room, or other common location, for meals.
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