Food Safety
Many residents may require dietary restrictions and are on special diets. This may be due to allergies or swallowing difficulties. These diets may include minced or pureed textures, or thickened fluids.
Safe feeding and swallowing guidelines are in place at all long-term care facilities to ensure you are receiving adequate and safe nutrition.
Long-term care sites may offer the following measures to help provide you, or your loved one, with safe nutrition:
- feeding/swallowing assessment;
- meal observation;
- recommendations for adaptive eating/feeding utensils;
- safe food/drink textures; and
- education for you, your family, staff and volunteers regarding your special nutrition needs.
Please check with your long-term care facility to find out if these services are offered directly at your site.
Things your family can do to help
- Check with a nurse before providing you with food or beverages, as you may require a special diet, diet texture, special equipment (such as cups or plate guards), or positioning.
- Refrain from bringing in perishable food, as it may spoil and cause food safety concerns.
- Only bring in non-perishable foods items that are within your recommended diet.
- Contact nursing staff when requesting food for you, rather than going into food preparation and service areas.
- Check with a nurse before providing or offering food to other residents.
Eastern Health’s long-term care video, Your Role in Safety, outlines how you and your family are partners in your safe care.