A variety of consultation services to seniors’ living facilities are available: menu development or review, assistance understanding and producing texture modified diets, recipe development or testing, and dining environment reviews.

Menus

Menus for seniors’ living facilities are the foundation of nutrition and are a contributor to quality of life. A well balanced menu need careful consideration. The goal is to provide a variety of food that meets the nutritional needs of the target population within the facility’s production capabilities and budget.

I have experience creating, modifying, and reviewing menus for seniors’ living facilities.

Texture Modified Diets

Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing.  Older adults are at increased risk of having difficulty swallowing because of illness(es) that affect the swallowing mechanism.  Dysphagia should be assessed by a trained clinician.  Treatment for dysphagia often requires texture modification of food and/or consistency of liquids. If your facility has clients who need texture modified diets but need assistance with understanding, planning, or producing texture modified diets, I can help.

I have experience creating and modifying texture modified menus to align with regional standards and working with the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) framework.

Recipes

Recipes are integral to repeatedly creating a standardize quality product of equal nutritional value.

I have experience creating and modifying recipes for facility production.

Dining Environment

The atmosphere of the dining environment contributes to the mealtime experience and intake. Physical environment and social environment are both important and require consideration.

I have experience with a variety of dining environments.