Rydel Long Term Care Planning

What Can You Do? 

If you’re concerned, try to visit during mealtime and observe how your loved-one is acting.  Watch how they interact with the other residents and also with the staff.  When they first arrive in the nursing home, some residents, especially male residents, are very reluctant to eat a meal in the dining room.  This might sound rather sexist but the current residents of nursing homes come from a time when men worked and women “stayed home” (some men would say that the women didn’t work).  Eating out was a luxury that they may not have thought worthwhile.  They have lived through the depression, two world wars and eating in a restaurant (which is how they may view the dining room in their facility) is just “not done”.  You can talk to your relative to see if this is the case and then address the issue with the staff. 

Initially, many residents do lose weight when they first arrive but it’s important not to let this go too long without being addressed.  There is an adjustment period and food is a matter that can be a large part of the change.  Residents are there because their health issues need to be looked after.  They will have a difficult time remaining alert and reasonably active if they are not eating properly.  Sometimes a small modification can make a big difference in their food intake.  It’s worth taking the time to ask the questions.