Long Term Care RD

How Much Protein Do Seniors ACTUALLY Need? (You're Probably Not Getting Enough) How much protein do you really need after 65? If you think the answer is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight, you may be surprised. For years, the standard protein recommendation has been 0.8 grams per kilogram per day. But for many older adults, that amount may be enough to prevent deficiency without necessarily bei...

For years, people with diabetes have heard the same message: get your A1C as low as possible. Tighter blood sugar control is always better… right? Not necessarily. For many older adults, especially those living with multiple health conditions, frailty, cognitive changes, or functional limitations, aggressively lowering blood sugar can increase the risk of hypoglycemia. And in older adults, low blo...

Struggling to get someone with dementia to eat even when you're making all their favorite meals? You're not making a mistake with the food. You're likely making the #1 mistake almost every caregiver makes: focusing on nutrition quality instead of the eating experience. In this episode, I'm breaking down why "perfect" nutrition can actually backfire in dementia care, and walking through what actual...

Why a “Normal” BMI May Not Be Healthy After 65 | The Truth About BMI in Older Adults If you're over 65, the BMI chart you've been using your entire life may not tell the whole story. We've all been taught that a “normal” BMI falls between 18.5 and 24.9. But when it comes to older adults, research tells a different story. In fact, a BMI between approximately 23.0 and 29.9 may be associated with bet...

Struggling to get an elderly parent, grandparent, or resident to eat? You're not alone — appetite loss in older adults is one of the most common (and most stressful) challenges in senior care. In this episode, we break down the real causes of appetite loss in the elderly — from medical changes and sensory decline to dementia, dental issues, depression, and medication side effects — and then walk t...

If the thought of a state survey or audit makes you want to panic and start reviewing every chart you've touched for the last six months, you're not alone! Being surveyed can feel intimidating, but here's the good news: you don't become survey ready the week before survey. You become survey ready by consistently doing the things you already know how to do as a dietitian. Following the Nutrition Ca...

You Asked, I Answered: 3 Questions LTC Dietitians Ask All the Time It’s been a little while since I’ve recorded a podcast episode—and I’m so happy to be back! For this episode, I’m answering three real-world questions that come up for dietitians working with older adults and in long-term care. These aren’t textbook questions. They’re the kinds of situations that make you stop and think, “Okay…what...

Episode Overview: In this practical episode of the Long Term Care RD podcast, Michelle breaks down a real-world sample nutrition care plan for a resident with a stage 3 pressure injury. Drawing from over a decade in SNFs, we cover the Nutrition Care Process step-by-step, MDS requirements, and tips to make your documentation survey-ready while supporting better healing for your older adults. Whethe...

Links mentioned in show: Membership Website Learn More At: https://clinicalnutritioncentral.com Research Article: https://longtermcarerd.com/research-tube-feeding/ In long term care, few topics spark more debate than tube feeding (PEG tubes) for residents with advanced dementia. Families often push for it out of fear and love, physicians may default to it, but what does the latest evidence actuall...

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, a...

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 beh...

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...

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...

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 Dementia How it affects nutrition What to monitor in the early, middle and late stages Nutrition interventions throughout If you want to sign up for the membership site waitlist, e-mail Michelle at info@longtermcar...

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.com Links mentioned in today's episode: https://longtermcarerd.com/end-of-...

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://longtermcare...

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-swee...

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.com https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-resource-bu...

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-suppleme...

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/