Substitutes of similar nutritive value must be offered to residents who refuse food served.

Unfortunately, many residents are not offered attractive, tasty meals or ones that are representative of the resident's life-long eating habits. FRIA receives many complaints from families that nursing home food is bland and unappetizing. Selections do not include the types of food that their relatives are familiar with and enjoy. Family members see their relatives refusing meals, losing weight and asking for food to be brought in from the "outside".

Too often, facilities see weight loss and attribute it to ill health rather than unappetizing food. Liquid supplements and even feeding tubes are often suggested to combat malnutrition before the quality of meals is addressed.

Food is not only necessary for human survival, it is intricately tied to childhood memories, loving care and ethnic identity. When people enter a nursing home, they suffer from loss of independence, freedom of choice and sensory deprivation. Providing tasty and appropriate food is one of the ways the home can help residents feel at home, help them remain healthy, and provide sensory pleasure.

Providing good food that represents the tastes of the home's resident population and meets all the nutritional requirements required by the Department of Health is a challenge. It is also one area that can make a huge difference in the quality of life for residents.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

1. Make sure your family member is asked about her food preferences- these should be noted in the Comprehensive Care Plan. Then observe her meals to see if her wishes are being respected.
2. Address problems of eating too little or weight loss quickly. This can lead to serious medical problems.
3. If food is unappetizing or inappropriate, speak with the dietitian about providing better choices. You should make specific suggestions, even bring in recipes if the staff is not familiar with your ethnic specialties.
4. If this does not yield change, speak with the administrator about the problem. Stress the effect of this problem on your relative's quality of life and any possible health consequences.
5. The most effective way to bring about change is to join with other families to voice your dissatisfaction. Many voices are stronger than one. The family council is a good place to start.
   
   Call the FRIA Helpline at (212) 732-4455 for advice, strategies and if needed, intervention with the facility.