MatrixCare Celebrates National Nutrition Month 2019
Written by Amy Wootton, RDN, Director of Nutrition Management, MatrixCare
MatrixCare recognizes the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ National Nutrition Month this March. Finding resources to provide appropriate nutrition and evaluate the needs of the members of your community is key in helping them succeed in living a healthful life. Look to these 5 areas to ensure you are putting your residents in the best position to succeed:
- Be a Food Safety Ambassador– Have a no tolerance rule for poor food handling. Provide monthly education on food safety topics and follow proper food temperature control guidelines.
- Menu Planning Management– Providing proper meals that meet Dietary Guidelines is not just for regulatory purposes. Allow for time and dedication with your expert dietary team members to make meal planning an important job function. Have your menus reviewed by a Registered Dietitian.
- Provide Proper Portion Sizes– A scoop goes a long way! Make sure your portions not only meet the minimum nutritional guidelines but are monitored for risk of over-serving.
- Evaluate Nutrition Needs– Food Preference & Nutrition Assessments capture the true picture of your resident. Dietary professionals are key resources in providing an accurate nutritional care plan.
- Adhere to Diet Orders– To liberalize or not to liberalize is an ongoing conundrum. If a special diet is prescribed to meet the needs and manage disease conditions, adherence can be critical. Creating an agreed diet order formula that is adhered to from order to delivery is the best standard of practice so that all team members and residents know what will be provided.
We are happy to help you meet these 5 critical areas through our MealTracker dietary software. MatrixCare offers nutrition software for your facilities that support your resident’s path to living their best life! Check out MealTracker and RetailTracker to see how we can serve you.
Amy Wootton, RDN, is a registered dietitian licensed in the state of Florida with over 18 years of experience in clinical nutrition leadership for senior communities as well as acute care, food service management, nutrition informatics, and wellness education. Amy is an active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, was appointed Vice Chair on the Interoperability and Standards Committee, and is the leader of the Academy’s Nutition Care Process Workgroup. Amy most recently accepted a Leadership Award from the Florida Academy of Dietetics. She has achieved years of diversified experience in all spectrums and disease improvement and prevention throughout each lifespan. Amy is a dedicated leader and is passionate about the success of nutrition interventions as an electronic solution to healthcare crises’.
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