Eating and drinking – choice and restrictions
We must remember that patients will have different restrictions and personal, cultural or dietary choices around mealtimes.
These may include:
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The level of help and support needed – cutting up food, fully assisting with putting fork or spoon up to patient’s lips, guiding their arm whilst they bring the food to their mouth etc.
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Their personal / cultural / dietary choices – choices can be medical such as lactose-free or gluten-free, or cultural such as kosher or halal or that there are foods they do not or will not eat.
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Fluid restrictions – is there a limit on how much they can drink? – If a patient is limited in the volume of liquid they can have, please be aware so that if they ask you for a 2nd or 3rd drink you know to check with a nurse. It should be written on the whiteboard at the top of the bed.
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Dietetic / nutrition plan – have they been prescribed supplement drinks? Have they been advised to have regular snacks? – If they have seen a dietician and have a plan in place, it may not be obvious to you. But nurses and support workers will know what the plan is (e.g. skip the soup and go straight to the main as the patient gets full quite easily) – you may be asked to help them with an oral supplement drink after their meal.
Always check with a nurse, support worker or housekeeper.