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Care Homes

The Older People's Services team work closely with care home staff to support the nutritional needs of residents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What we do

As people age the food that is eaten continues to be important for good health. On admission and then monthly nutritional screening takes place. This helps to identify individuals at risk of malnutrition. Care homes have guidelines on how to refer and manage nutritional issues. A dietitian is assigned to each care home. They can be contacted by phone or email.

A resident is referred via the electronic referral form which is emailed to the dietetic service. We will have an initial conversation with staff to discuss the referral. We may signpost to the nutrition resource folder for support.

If a resident requires oral nutritional supplements (ONS) the dietitian will arrange for samples to be sent to the care home. It these are tolerated a month's supply will be issued via the NPO system. If a further supply is appropriate the care home will complete the NPO form. This is emailed to the NPO team. ONS should only be used for a short period of time and when food fortification has been trialled.

Dietitians also provide nutrition education to Care Home staff. This includes nutritional screening, food fortification, dementia, swallowing issues, diabetes and weight management.


Forms

National Care Home Referral Form 

Care Home NPO Form


Resource Pack

This Resource Folder should be used in conjunction with the Care Inspectorate Document, Eating and Drinking Well in Care: Good Practice Guidance for Older People which provides more detailed information about nutritional care in care homes.

Care Home Resource Pack

Factsheets

  • Dietary advice after Covid
  • Fortified milk
  • Nutritional supplements
  • Nourishing drink and snack ideas
  • Bone Health
  • Dementia
  • Diverticular disease
  • Eating well
  • Healthy eating after a heart attack
  • Iron deficiency anaemia

  • Type 1 diabetes
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Vitamin D

Useful links

  • Alzheimer’s Scotland
  • Care Inspectorate
  • Caroline Walker Trust
  • Dementia Friends
  • Diabetes UK
  • Eating and drinking well in care
  • Fife Carer's Centre
  • Parkinson's UK
  • The Stroke Association

Other pages in Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics

Acute Hospital Inpatients

Adult Learning Disability Dietetic Service

Adult Mental Health

Diabetes

Health Promotion

Infants, Children & Young People

Nutrition Support

Older People's Service

Feed your mind podcast

Weight Management and Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Service

Last Updated: 19 October 2022
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