I know of someone in a Residential Care Home in Connecticut who eats his regular meals then always ask for more food at each meal. Advice?
Can the dietary, kitchen staff refuse and say no to his excessive eating habits or should they just comply with whatever additional food at meal times he requests? Please advise. Thank you.
Just a thought - In some places the margins are very, very slim and there is only enough food prepared for one serving per person with perhaps a very small allowance for accidents (oops, dropped one) or for guests and staff. In those places more for one can mean less for someone else, especially for those who have no advocate and aren't able to speak up for themselves.
My daughter says in her facilities they actually give residents too much food. More than some are capable of eating and food is wasted. The State determines what size portions are served.
Dependent on Doctor Orders for diet, and careplan for maintaining weight and nutrition. In my brother's assisted living he was in charge of ordering and could order as much as he liked including double portions, which his table mate ALWAYS ordered. There were also snacks all over the place starting with early a.m. coffee and pastries. For a while he took advantage of everything. Then told me he was putting on weight and ordered less. So he took control of it himself. You , if you are POA, are somewhat in charge. Coordinate with MD your concerns, and work with facility on care plan. Basically if you are not seeing obesity happening I would not fret this.
If he wants more to eat then they are obliged to give it to him if available. Sometimes eating is the only joy people get. Unless on a special diet, not sure there is anything you can do about it.
Thank you all for your feedback. He slightly overweight but not obese. I am not sure if a medical evaluation has been done to determine how much food he needs to consume but it appears that this extra consumption of food makes him happy. I will pursue the matter a little more. Thanks again.
It could depend on what is healthy or reasonable. A large man would require bigger servings (or 'seconds' which is usually easier to deliver), but one who is driven to want several helpings of custard pie would raise concerns for the wellbeing of the recipient. When people go into care, a bio is usually performed to find individual preferences for meals and serving size, so it is likely this 'agreement' was established beforehand. 'Excessive' is in the eye of the beholder, I guess, and if the needs are genuine (as opposed to compulsive or fixated), then such provision would enhance the enjoyment for the resident.
Has a medical evaluation indicated how much food is the healthiest amount for this person? Who has objectively established that the amount of food he requests is “excessive”?
Is he obese, or thin?
Has he previously been diagnosed with diabetes or food allergies?
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In some places the margins are very, very slim and there is only enough food prepared for one serving per person with perhaps a very small allowance for accidents (oops, dropped one) or for guests and staff. In those places more for one can mean less for someone else, especially for those who have no advocate and aren't able to speak up for themselves.
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Is he obese, or thin?
Has he previously been diagnosed with diabetes or food allergies?