Across the country, long-term care needs are growing as the population ages. Mealtime is an important part of a resident’s day, making feeding assistance essential. Older adults often require extra food and fluids when managing a chronic illness, recovering from wounds, improving muscle weakness or at high risk for an acute illness.

An acute illness, like a stomach virus or the flu, can quickly lead to weight loss, dehydration and hospitalization. As a general rule, older adults benefit from having some ‘extra’ weight to protect them against a rapid decline in health.

Staff who provide assistance during meals need extra training and guidance. atom Alliance and the Vanderbilt Center for Quality Aging have collaborated to offer nursing homes a Web-based training program designed to teach non-nursing personnel to assist with daily feeding.

The training series consists of eight webinars, each one led by experts in gerontology, nursing, social work and nutrition within the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn.

“This dynamic training series is ideal for nursing home staff like Certified Nursing Assistants and other supporting team members,” said Beth Hercher, Quality Improvement Advisor for atom Alliance.

This training curriculum is consistent with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) regulation “Requirements for Paid Feeding Assistants in Long-Term Care Facilities.” The requirements allow facilities to hire single task workers and cross-train existing, non-nursing personnel (e.g. activities, dietary, housekeeping, volunteers) to help with daily feeding assistance care during and between regularly-scheduled meals like supplements and snacks.

View the Feeding Assistant Training Webinar Series here.

Learn more about how atom Alliance works closely with long-term care facilities to improve the quality of care given to residents.