Tag: Person centered care

According to a 2018 position paper by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, an individualized nutrition approach can significantly enhance the quality of life and nutritional status of older adults in care settings. This philosophy forms the basis of liberalizing diets, which prioritize individual preferences and well-being over strict adherence to therapeutic restrictions.

According to the World Health Organization, a balanced and healthy diet is essential for preventing noncommunicable diseases and malnutrition. Understanding why it is important to support individuals to make choices about food and drink goes far beyond just nutritional intake; it is a fundamental aspect of person-centered care and respecting an individual's autonomy.

Recent research from the Pioneer Network highlighted that 50%-70% of long-term care residents leave a significant portion of their meals uneaten, a stark statistic that demanded change. This reality directly fueled the evolution of the new dining practice standards, which emphasize resident autonomy and pleasure in mealtimes.

Overly restrictive therapeutic diets are a major contributor to malnutrition in care settings, highlighting why a person-centered approach to liberalize a diet is now recommended by major nutritional bodies like the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This change represents a significant shift in thinking, prioritizing individual needs and well-being over rigid dietary control.