Older Adult to Geriatric Nutrition Answers

Struggling with PES statements for unintentional weight loss, malnutrition, or geriatric challenges in LTC/SNF? In this episode, Michelle Saari, MS, RD breaks down common pitfalls, shares a simple step-by-step framework, provides 15 real-world examples tailored to seniors, and offers mindset tips to stop overthinking. Discover practical goals, interventions (like fortification, adaptive feeding, and between-meal supplements), and monitoring plans used daily in long-term care.Get started with the free PES guide at https://longtermcarerd.com/Ready for more time-saving tools? Join Clinical Nutrition Central NOW for exclusive PES templates, cheat sheets, sample chart notes, webinars, and a private community—before prices increase on March 1, 2026! Current rates: $19.95/month or $199.95/year (2 months free on annual). Sign up at https://clinicalnutritioncentral.comSubscribe for more evidence-based LTC nutrition tips! Hosted by Michelle Saari, MS, RD—your go-to expert for senior nutrition.

If you're a dietitian working in long-term care, you already know…This job can feel isolating.You're often the only RD in the building. You're responsible for clinical decisions, survey readiness, documentation, high-risk monitoring, foodservice oversight — and somehow you're expected to just “figure it out.”And most of the time?You're doing it alone.In this episode, I'm sharing the story behind why I created Clinical Nutrition Central — the only membership platform built specifically for dietitians working in long-term care, skilled nursing, and nursing homes.This isn't just another CEU library.It's practical, real-world support with:✔ Exact wording for nutrition care plans ✔ Charting templates you can use immediately ✔ Survey & audit preparation guidance ✔ Documentation frameworks that show clinical reasoning ✔ High-risk tracking tools ✔ Step-by-step examples for real LTC scenarios ✔ A community of dietitians who understand this fieldMy mission is simple: To help dietitians feel less alone in practice — and more confident every single day.If you've ever second guessed your documentation… If you've ever rewritten a care plan 5 times… If you've ever felt unprepared when survey walked in…This episode is for you.⚠️ Important: Membership pricing increases on March 1. If you join before then, you lock in the current rate.This is your opportunity to become a founding member and grow with us as we build the largest and only comprehensive membership platform dedicated to LTC dietitians.You don't have to practice alone anymore.

Feeling overwhelmed as a new Registered Dietitian —or just tired of chaotic days even after years on the job? In this practical survival guide, Michelle Saari, MS, RD (with over 10+ years optimizing senior nutrition in skilled nursing and nursing homes), shares a realistic daily routine, mindset shifts, and proven hacks to prioritize residents, streamline charting, boost interdisciplinary teamwork, and prevent burnout.Whether you're fresh out of internship navigating your first facility or a veteran RD ready to reclaim your schedule, you'll walk away with actionable steps to run your day smarter: from morning stand-up triage to batching PES statements, quick NFPE rounds, protected lunch breaks, and boundary-setting tips.Episode Briefing + Links MentionedIntro & Why This Matters for LTC RDs Mindset Shift: Compassion + BoundariesFlexible Daily Routine FrameworkTop Time-Saving Hacks (Charting, Prioritization, Teamwork) Burnout PreventionQuick Wins Encouragement & Next StepsLink: Top 16 Time Saving Charting TipsReady to save hours weekly with ready-made tools? Join Clinical Nutrition Central at clinicalnutritioncentral.com ($19.95/month or $199.95/year—2 months free annually) for instant access to PES cheat sheets, resident trackers, evidence summaries, webinars, sample care plans, and a private community of fellow LTC RDs for fast peer support.Subscribe now, leave a review if this helps, and elevate your practice—one efficient day at a time!

Are you a Dietitian that wants to know more about exactly how to do the nutrition focused physical exam?In today's episode, Michelle breaks down exactly step by step how to perform the NFPE, the value of it, what to look for, and offers a free resource summary on what you need to look for.Help to improve your skills and feel more comfortable performing the NFPE after listening to today's episode!The following are links mentioned in today's episode: Step by step article on how to perform the NFPE along with a free resource!https://longtermcarerd.com/nutrition-focused-physical-exam/ Healing a pressure injury as a Dietitian online webinar:https://longtermcarerd.com/product/virtual-dietitian-meeting/Contact Michelle and get on the waitlist for the upcoming membership site by sending her an email at:info@longtermcarerd.com

In this episode of Long Term Care RD, Michelle talks about WHY nutrition interventions stop working, specifically when patients have Dementia. She also covers:The progressive nature of DementiaHow it affects nutritionWhat to monitor in the early, middle and late stagesNutrition interventions throughoutIf you want to sign up for the membership site waitlist, e-mail Michelle at info@longtermcarerd.com and let her know you want to be added to the waitlist!Links mentioned in today's episode:https://longtermcarerd.comhttps://longtermcarerd.com/ebooks/Follow along with Long Term Care RD on:Facebook and Instagram @longtermcarerdPinterest @longtermcarerd

What are you supposed to do when your nutrition interventions have all been tried and nothing is working anymore? How are Dietitians supposed to handle end of life? It's all in today's episode!If you want to be on the waitlist for our upcoming membership site, simply drop me an e-mail with your name at:info@longtermcarerd.comLinks mentioned in today's episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/end-of-life-a-dietitians-essential-education/https://longtermcarerd.com/product/end-of-life-nutrition/

Are you caring for someone with late stage dementia and they aren't eating? Are you unsure of what you should be doing?Then this is the episode for you! Find the balance between whether it's end of life or there are nutrition management tips that you can implement. Find the most effective tips in managing dementia and how to get them to eat again!Links mentioned in the show:https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-resource-bundle/https://longtermcarerd.com/late-stage-dementia-not-eating/https://longtermcarerd.com/high-energy-high-protein-diet/https://longtermcarerd.com/the-top-5-foods-a-dementia-patient-needs-to-eat/https://longtermcarerd.com/listoffingerfoodsfordementiapatients/

Find out how a Registered Dietitian recommends finding the delicate balance between Dementia and eating sweets. Do you give in and let them eat all the sweets they want? In this episode, a Dietitian dives into how to offer a balance in order to maintain health, reduce malnutrition, and still give healthy meals. Links mentioned in today's episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/dementia-and-eating-sweets/https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-reference-guide/https://longtermcarerd.com/category/dementia/

Are you a Dietitian that feels short on time?Do you wish you knew how to chart faster?Then you need the FREE Nutrition Care Process Form from Long Term Care RD and this episode will tell you exactly how to use it!Links mentioned in the show:https://longtermcarerd.com/nutrition-care-process-form/https://longtermcarerd.comhttps://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-resource-bundle/

There's new research suggesting that Citrulline is a great wound healing alternative, but what exactly does it do?Why is there new research recommending it?Find out all the latest information and more!Links mentioned in today's episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/product/virtual-dietitian-meeting/https://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/site/twc/utilizing-citrulline-efficient-arginine-supplement-wound-healinghttps://longtermcarerd.com/category/wounds/

Find all the links mentioned in today's episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/product/virtual-dietitian-meeting/https://longtermcarerd.com

Not sure what your role is on the wound care team as a Dieitian? Listen to today's podcast episode to find out how set up a system that includes you as a key role on the team!Links mentioned in today's episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/product/virtual-dietitian-meeting/https://longtermcarerd.com/category/blogs/https://longtermcarerd.com/category/wounds/

Learn all about when to use the nutrition diagnosis: Increased Nutrient Needs!Links mentioned in today's episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/product/virtual-dietitian-meeting/https://longtermcarerd.com/increased-nutrient-needs-pes-statement/https://longtermcarerd.com

Links mentioned in today's episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/pocketing-food/https://longtermcarerd.com/how-to-use-the-meal-observation-screen-form/https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-reference-guide/https://longtermcarerd.com/category/dysphagia/

Links mentioned in today's episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/product/virtual-dietitian-meeting/https://longtermcarerd.com/stimulating-appetite-in-elderly/https://longtermcarerd.com/ebooks/

Links mentioned in today's show:https://longtermcarerd.com/longtermcaredietitian/https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-reference-guide/

Links mentioned in the episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/product/elderly-depression-and-malnutrition-webinar/https://longtermcarerd.com/how-to-get-weights-done-in-your-ltc-nh-facility/

Links mentioned in the episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/constipation-care-plan/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4325863/https://longtermcarerd.com/ebooks/

Links from today's episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/product/elderly-depression-and-malnutrition-webinar/https://longtermcarerd.com/product/pocket-guide-for-dietitians-prepping-for-state-surveys/https://longtermcarerd.com/category/state-surveys/

Links mentioned in today's episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/state-surveys/https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-resource-bundle/https://thefitnessnutritionists.thinkific.com/courses/beasurveyreadyrdn?ref=3e8aae

Links mentioned in today's show notes:https://longtermcarerd.com/ebooks/https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-reference-guide/https://longtermcarerd.com

Today we discuss thickened liquids, does someone really need them? Are there any pros and cons?Find out more. Here are the links discussed in today's episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/pros-and-cons-of-thickened-liquids/https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-reference-guide/

Links mentioned in today's episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/adime/https://longtermcarerd.com/nutrition-diagnosis-examples/https://longtermcarerd.com/pes-statement-for-diabetes/

Links mentioned in today's episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/product/pocket-guide-for-dietitians-prepping-for-state-surveys/https://longtermcarerd.comhttps://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/site/wmp/nutrition-matters/wounds-versus-kidneys?fbclid=IwAR3Yyl327ldLEPp9PjIkKHqyKBLxECpjeyi6d4ueDc6XFFrdbyAkkgXojMg

Are you a new clinical dietitian? Be sure to check out the resources below!https://longtermcarerd.com/new-dietitian-training/https://longtermcarerd.com/ebooks/https://longtermcarerd.com

Links discussed in today's episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/vitamin-b12-benefits-for-elderly/https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-reference-guide/https://longtermcarerd.com/ebooks/

Geriatric Failure to Thrive (GFFT) is a condition that many Dietitian's have never heard of, yet it is far more common than we think.Explore in this episode the chronic condition, and how to solve it!Links mentioned in the episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-reference-guide/https://longtermcarerd.com/failure-to-thrive/https://longtermcarerd.com/ebooks/

In today's episode we dive into the difficulties someone with Dementia has when it comes to eating and drinking.Listen today to find out the top 5 ways we can encourage them to eat and drink more!Mentioned links in the episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/dementia-patient/https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-reference-guide/https://longtermcarerd.com

Resources mentioned in today's episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/elderly-weight-loss/https://longtermcarerd.com/stimulating-appetite-in-elderly/https://longtermcarerd.com/liberalizing-diets/https://longtermcarerd.com/weight-loss/https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-reference-guide/https://longtermcarerd.com/ebooks/

Nutrition Care Plans can be the bane of a Dietitian's existence in Long Term Care. I break down exactly how you build a nutrition care plan, what goes into it, and give you lots of free resources! This episode is a must listen!Here's the links talked about in the show:https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-reference-guide/https://longtermcarerd.com/category/nutrition-care-plan-examples/

It's time that we asked the question... Who are the REAL nutrition experts?I'll give you a hint... It's not PhD's!Here are the mentioned links from today's episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/iddsidiet/https://longtermcarerd.comhttps://longtermcarerd.com/ebooks/

Today's episode tackles the tough topic of End of Life Nutrition: Inability to Swallow Issues. This can be a very difficult topic to discuss, but every Dietitian needs to be educated on how to manage it!The following links are from today's episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/end-of-life-inability-to-swallow-issue/https://longtermcarerd.com/product/end-of-life-nutrition/https://longtermcarerd.com/dietitian-audits-forms/

This episode covers the very important topic surrounding if a patient refuses a nutrition care plan, what is the Dietitian supposed to do?You can find all the resources listed in the episode at the following links:https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-reference-guide/https://longtermcarerd.com/nutrition-the-residents-right-to-choose-refuse-what-the-rd-needs-to-do/

Today's episode dives into the 4 major causes of weight loss in older adults.It covers how to find the root cause of weight loss because if you don't know the cause, you can't treat it properly.It also gives great tips on how to deal with the nutrition causes to prevent further weight loss and promote weight gain!References in the episode:The Long Term Care Dietitian's Reference Guide:https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-reference-guide/Article Link:https://longtermcarerd.com/weight-loss-in-elderly/

Do you know that Diet Liberalization is the number one thing that should be happening with the older adult to geriatric population?Listen to this episode to learn the WHY, HOW, and WHO of liberalizing diets in the elderly.Find more information at this article:https://longtermcarerd.com/liberalizing-diets/

For more information on Dementia and Nutrition, see our website at: https://longtermcarerd.com