When caring for nursing home residents, a holistic approach is essential. This means focusing on each resident as an individual and considering their unique physical, mental, and social needs in conjunction with their medical care.
A significant part of this approach is ensuring adequate daily nutrition and hydration — in other words, planning and providing a healthy diet suitable for all tastes and medical concerns.
Here, we explain why diet and nutrition are vital in care and how we deliver healthy meal options to our residents, morning, noon, and night.
Why is eating and drinking well important for nursing home residents?
As the old saying goes, “you are what you eat” — and that takes on extra significance as we get older. What we consume throughout the day affects our mood, energy levels, and physical and mental well-being.
Over time, eating the right mix of protein-rich foods, fruits and vegetables, carbohydrates, dairy (or dairy alternatives), and drinking enough water can provide us with many of the vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and hydration needed for a healthy body and mind.
However, failure to eat a balanced diet can result in malnutrition, which can lead to a range of symptoms, including:
- Weight fluctuation (loss or gain)
- Tiredness/lack of energy
- Depression
- Confusion
- Muscle weakness
- Increased infections
- Increased falls
- Cuts/wounds take longer to heal
- Constipation
Malnutrition is a serious concern in a care home setting, and one that can go unnoticed if not monitored carefully. That’s why we keep a close eye on our residents’ daily food and drink intake and make sure they undergo regular weight measurements to keep them healthy and happy.
How do mealtimes work at Fulford Nursing Home?
Mealtimes here at Fulford are so important that we’ve protected them — there’s no visiting during these times. This allows us to give residents our undivided attention as we serve them and to help those who require assistance with eating and drinking.
Note: Families are welcome to join residents for meals if we’re given prior notice. Husbands and wives can eat together, and we can even set up a private room for special occasions.
All the meals served at Fulford are lovingly prepared by our two full-time chefs and two kitchen assistants. Yorkshire-based dietitian Vanessa Quarmby also oversees our menus to ensure everything is nutrient-rich and nourishing.
Here’s how it all works, from breakfast to supper and snacks in between:
- The day starts with a healthy breakfast, served until 10:45 am. Residents can choose from cereals, porridge, yoghurt, fruit, toast, a full English, juice, tea, and coffee.
- For lunch (12:30 pm to 1:30 pm) and supper (5:00 pm to 6:00 pm), residents can select from a weekly menu (example below), all of which is cooked on-site using local suppliers. There are three choices at each meal, including a veggie option.
- We work with the speech and language therapy (SALT) team to assist stroke sufferers and those with difficulty swallowing. There are individual care plans with adapted cutlery if needed. Allergies and eating preferences are all taken into account.
- We provide fortified milkshakes and smoothies that help residents get vital calories. We also offer ice cream, lollies, jellies, custard, and fruit juices, which can help fight dehydration and UTIs.
- Outside of mealtimes, the pantry is open 24/7. Residents can access it whenever they want, just like at home.
- We also have a bar, The Residents Arms, which opens at 11:00 am. Lots of residents enjoy a beer, wine, or G&T at lunchtime.
- Finally, we have a dedicated Hydration Station for residents and guests alike (with endless tea and cake!).
Example Weekly Menu
Good food = a good mood
It’s not just what our residents eat that matters to their well-being; it’s often where they eat and who they eat with that can spark joy and improve their mood.
That’s why we try to be as flexible and accommodating as possible. Yes, you can go “off-menu” if you wish!
Many of our residents join family and friends to eat out (The Plough Inn is a popular destination) or attend community gatherings at the church hall. We’ve also had Indian and Chinese takeaways delivered to the home and a Mr Whippy van visit in the summer.
Ultimately, we know that food evokes memories, and eating together is a sociable experience proven to make people happier. It also forms part of our social activities programme, with residents icing their own Christmas cakes, enjoying selection boxes, or tucking into Easter eggs and hot cross buns.
If you’d like to learn more about the food we serve here at Fulford, please contact us at 01904 654 269 to speak to a staff member.