Day 3: Yummy Pureed Foods!

Today was another meeting day, but today instead of just meeting with the dietitians we also met with all of the Dietary Service Managers (DSM) from each home. Today's main topic was the initiative "Beyond Puree" which is for residents that need pureed food for many medical reasons. But instead of just scooping the pureed food onto the plate, they actually shape the pureed food into the shape of the food. They showed us how to shape this products so that they would be appealing to all the senses. All today was about was making the dining services more appealing and better for residents. Today I learned that dietitians aren't just people who fill out clinical's for patients, they do a lot of behind the scenes work to prepare the food in a manner that is best for the residents. But through this week, it might change tomorrow, I'm not sure I really enjoy working with elders my forte might just be younger kids. But that's what this whole project is about!

Day Two: Meetings and more Meetings

Today was just a long day of a constant meeting covering multiple topics. Today my mentor since she is the head dietitian had to meet with all the other dietitians in the region. We discused many things from the new Beyond Purred initiative to budget expenses. The dietitians we met with were from many areas from Missouri to East Texas. Today's meeting was to check to make sure that all the homes that these dietitians over see are doing their job and if not, how they can change that.Also we met with a sales representative talking about supplements and additives in the food to increase intake of protein and fiber. We tested the products and learned about ADD and C. fillis. It is required for required for registered dietitians to take these classes and learn about new products to keep their licenses' to practice. Today wasn't as hands on as yesterday or how Friday will be but i got to see the behind the scenes process to get an assisted living facility functioning right, at least in the nutrition area.

Day one:Rounds at the Homes

Today, my first day following around a dietitian was a definite learning experience to say the least. I made my rounds with my mentor to two assited living homes. We tourned the kitchen and made sure the staff and head meal planners were doing their designated jobs correctly. We tried different purred foods to see if they up to the standard. Also seeing how the residents approved of the meals. Cheryl ( my mentor) is the head dietitian over many assisted living homes, she looks over all the other dietitians assigned to these homes. She sees more of the business side of things as i will be seeing tomorrow and Thursday meeting with investors and running classes to learn about a new style of food (shaped purred food). they over sees many things as well as doing clinical work such as filling out paper work for new residents making meal plans for them depending on their prognosis. I enjoyed today, i learned there is more to a dietitian than just choosing foods, its all based on what the resident can handle and I cant wait to see what tomorrow has to offer.