Food Service regs have changed for your Residents? Person-Centered Care at work! by Kathy Hughes, ADC Instructor - ActivityDirector.org

I was recently passed an interesting article from our instructor Kathy Hughes, ADC that I think we can all relate to. Nursing home food is often compared with hospital food and is rarely accused of being appetizing. However, the nationwide push to make care homes more person-centered has extended well beyond care and is now attempting changes in the dietary department. It may be hard for some to believe but prior to November 2016 family members weren’t allowed to bring outside food in. The value of sharing recognizable comfort food with a loved one in the throes of dementia could easily be recognized by the family, but couldn’t be executed until this all important CMS update in 2016 that was over 20 years in the making. According to the article: The new and modified regulations explicitly state that menus at facilities participating in the Medicare and Medicaid programs must now reflect the religious, cultural, and ethnic needs of residents, be updated periodically, and undergo review by a dietician or nutrition professional (who, according to the new regulations, have higher certification requirements than in the previous iteration). Also, for the first time, nursing homes can officially grow their own food or buy it directly from local producers, and allow residents to eat food brought in by friends and family. Finally, meals and snacks can now be served whenever works best for the residents, not just at designated feeding times. The changes these updates are making can be felt already in many homes, perhaps even yours. Rather than regular American staples day in and day out residents are now enjoying more ethnic foods being served right in their dining rooms. The ability to participate in CSA (community supported agriculture) programs opens a whole new way to plan activities for your community as well, providing pathways for field trips, vegetable, fruit and herb education, harvesting and preparation, increased health education and the lists goes on and on. Better food isn’t just about better taste and nostalgia either. Nutrition is critical in determining how one’s life will unfold particularly at this leg of life. Fresh and accessible food, from a variety of trustworthy sources increase intake in general and nutritional levels greatly. The article discusses many advantages to these CMS updates, but its central point remains that the boost in mental well-being received by these residents is really what counts. The ability to feel autonomous and to be reminded of the good times in life go a long way in contributing to joy. A care home should not feel like a jail and access to a variety of food and lifestyle experiences is a basic freedom. The updates are a huge step in the right direction however there is a stark difference between policy change and implementation. Positive effects are being felt as are the negative effects that variety can have on an ever decreasing dietary budget. The article references some worst cases scenario numbers that come in at less than $1 per meal. Think about that. Staffing issues also remain a concern that block many attempts above and beyond the norm of how things have always been. Even still, these changes are good changes and they were a long time coming. It allows residents to remain in contact with food, which is such a cornerstone of all of our lives and interactions therein. It is true progress and I for one was fascinated to read the article. I grew up in an Activity Department because my Mom was an Activity Director and I can remember the food vividly. I really hadn’t realized that food could be or was regulated in that way and that dietary had such restrictive guidelines and budgets (even though I should have because my Mom’s best friend Debbie was the Dietary Manager and she complained about it constantly!). I am glad to see these changes going into place and it gives me great hope about the type of facilities we are all pushing for together. The future is certainly brighter….and tastier. Article Referenced: Nursing home food is getting better. But the journey is far from over. by Jillian D' Onfro Nov. 27, 2017 Read the Article

ENROLL Now Activity Directors Network was founded in 1996 on the idea that we could help create elderly care that dramatically improved the lives of those we all serve. Activity Directors are the key to creating environments that we ourselves would be excited to live in. We envision facilities that feel like homes, not institutions. Facilities that celebrate our resident’s individuality and allows them to live with dignity, purpose and joy. We believe providing the best education available, with the most talented teachers we can find, is the way to make an impact. Each and every single one of you are the revolution that is changing everything. Thanks for being a part of The Network.

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Activity Director Training for Nursing Homes, Assisted Living, Adult Day Health, and Swing Bed SNF Facilities

Be State Survey Safe . State Approved Activity Director Training for Nursing Homes, Assisted Living, Adult Day Health, and Swing Bed SNF Facilities Classes begin each first Tuesday of every Month . ActivityDirector.org  Next Class August 6th  NCCAP Approved MEPAP 1&2

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Activity Directors encourage socialization, provide entertainment, relaxation, fulfillment, and improve daily living skills. It's a career dedicated to creating a culture of aging that is life affirming, dignified and meaningful for the residents in long term facilities, assisted living facilities and adult day health care. The National Certification Council for Activity Professionals has created Standards for Professional Preparation for Activity Service.    Our MEPAP Training program is a State Approved 180 hr course that meets the State Surveyors regulation F249 as required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. Get More Info.. Our Next MEPAP class starts on September 3rd.

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New Activity Director CE Workshop

Activity Directors Network welcomes a New CE Author Dr. Alison Ward to our Online Classroom. Dr. Alison is a licensed clinical psychologist in Arizona. Dr. Ward’s professional Workshops provide a very in depth understanding of person-centered psychology and a Clinical perspective into Activities and Therapeutic Programs

Visit the Online Classroom at www.activitydirector.org for a listing of CE Workshops available.
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Nov 02, 2010
MEPAP 1 & 2 now in enrolling for December 7th class. Our Online Activity Director training meets the Federal 249 Regulations for State Qualified Activity Directors conducting actitity and therapeutic programs with the elderly 55+ and older.
Instructor : Kathleen Hughes

1.888.238.0444 Cheryl

Technology and Seniors

I am really getting interested in all the new gaming systems out there and how great they are for seniors. For example the Wii Nintendo system and others. Seems like there is a huge market, and i hope, that this industry sees that need and creates more innovative technology that our seniors can benefit from. They can develop more physical games for the Wii to get our seniors moving. How great is it for a old sports fan, that is unable to cruise the golf course; to be able to just turn on the TV and practice his swing. I have been looking at the recent Rock Band and wondering if they revamped the songs choices how exciting that would be for the seniors to try to master.

There are many young adults and middle age residents in nursing homes who too can beat the boredom blues by participating in these games. Imagine a 30 man rehabbing from a car accident, you might be able to get him interested in more physical movement by playing baseball on the Wii or playing the drums in the game Rock Band.

In conclusion, glad to see new develops with our seniors in mind and cant wait to see what comes next! Just hope it comes fast!

Karen