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CITIZENS FOR BETTER CARE
FACT SHEET
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FOOD & NUTRITION ISSUES IN NURSING HOMES
Meals are a major concern for nursing home residents. They can be a high point or low point of the resident’s day. Meals provide an important opportunity for social gathering and sharing. Many nursing home residents have special nutritional needs. Others may need food specially prepared due to digestive disorders.
WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS CONCERNING MEALS IN MY NURSING HOME?
Michigan nursing homes must meet the following dietary requirements:
- Your meals must meet recommended dietary allowances.
- At least three meals must be served daily, at regular times, with less than 14 hours between a substantial evening meal and breakfast.
- Menus for the current week must be posted in the dining room or other public place.
- Hot foods must be served hot and cold foods served cold.
- Meals shall be served in an appetizing and sanitary manner.
- Supplemental fluids and special nourishments must be provided if ordered by the physician.
- Food must be served cut, ground, chipped, pureed, or in any other manner which meets the needs of the resident.
- Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing homes must consider your personal preferences. If you refuse food, you must be offered a substitute of similar nutritional value.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MY MEALS?
Your physician is responsible for identifying your special dietary needs. The nursing home must have a dietary or food services supervisor who has been trained in accordance with state training requirements. If the food services supervisor is not a registered dietician, the supervisor must receive at least four hours supervision from a registered dietician every 60 days.
Rev: 02/04
Southeastern Michigan Area
Main Office ~
800.833.9548
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Lansing/Jackson Area
517.347.7398 |
Saginaw/Flint Area
800.284.0046 |
Traverse City Area
231.947.2504 |
Grand Rapids Area
800.782.2918 |
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