Reimagining Nutrition Care and Mealtimes in Long-Term Care

Poor food and fluid intake and subsequent malnutrition and dehydration of residents are common, longstanding challenges in long-term care (LTC; eg, nursing homes, care homes, skilled nursing facilities). Institutional factors like inadequate nutrition care processes, food quality, eating assistance, and mealtime experiences, such as staff and resident interactions (ie, relationship-centered care) are partially responsible and are all modifiable. Evidence-based guidelines on nutrition and hydration for older adults, including those living with dementia, outline best practices.