Nutrition in Long-Term Care

The Nutrition in Long-Term Care project has expanded! Many resources continue to be branded as Nutrition in Disguise and focus on supporting the creation and use of nutrient-dense recipes that older adults enjoy. In addition, ongoing research and collaboration are resulting in new resources under the umbrella of Nutrition in LTC.

Research findings identified micronutrient content of recipes can be enhanced through specific menu planning using key ingredients. Nutrition in Disguise resources include: recipes for menu planners and chefs working in long-term care; tools for educators to support the enhancement of student skills and knowledge; and more.

Did You Know?

• As we age, we generally need fewer calories than we did when we were younger, but we still need the same amount of nutrients.
• Most older adults are not consuming enough key nutrients to stay healthy.
• The best way to get the nutrients our bodies need is through the foods that we eat. It is important to choose foods that are rich in nutrients (i.e. nutrient-dense).
• Eating a nutrient-dense diet helps older adults stay healthy and independent.

Source 

Resources

LTC Recipes Cards

Download enhanced recipes for common meals in Ontario LTC homes (in Microsoft Word format). Each recipe was vetted by a dietician and cost efficiency for long-term care homes.

Community Recipe Cards

A collection of tasty recipes enhanced with key nutrients for older adults living in the community.

The recipes were created as part of the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging’s Nutrition in Disguise research project. Each recipe card describes how to prepare the item. It also explains how the key ingredient in disguise makes the recipe more nutritious.

Webinar: Menu Planning to Enhance Resident Health & Well-Being

This webinar will share findings from research to help chefs and nutrition managers working in LTC create meals that are more nutritious for residents.

How to Run a Taste Test Event in Your LTC Home

Planning a taste testing event in your long-term care home is a great way to engage your LTC community in the Nutrition in Long-Term Care recipes. This guide explains how to a taste test event in your home.

Recipes and Resources Guide

Download the Recipe and Resources package, an all-in–one PDF collection of recipes with additional resources on scaling and taste-testing to assist your long-term care home.

Lesson Plan

For post-secondary education providers: Incorporate the Lesson Plan into your curriculum to enhance student’s skills and knowledge of resident nutrition. The plan includes short videos, customizable assignments, and valuable resources.

Long-Term Care Food Services Orientation eLearning Course Series

Equip team members for the safe support of residents during snack and mealtimes through our eLearning series, Long-Term Care Food Services Orientation!

Related Resource

Follow the RIA’s CHOICE+ team on Instagram for educational content on dining in senior living spaces, including LTC homes!

Nutrition in Long-Term Care Recipes for Residents Contest

In the fall of 2021, we asked students from Conestoga College, George Brown College, and Humber College to make a recipe for a nutrient-dense breakfast item or snack that is healthy and tasty for residents living in LTC to enjoy! Students were given guidelines about what to include in a recipe for LTC residents and were guided by their instructors. We had a number of creative entries. After choosing finalists based on set criteria, judges tasted the dishes and selected three winners in December!

Read more.

Acknowledgments

The Nutrition in Long-Term Care resources are made available through the Ontario CLRI at the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA). These resources are based on research completed by the RIA, the University of Waterloo and the University of Guelph, in partnership with Schlegel Villages. This research was made possible with the generosity of George Weston Limited and Loblaw Companies Limited.