Q&A: Liberalized Diets = Unneeded RDs?

Posted on by June 16, 2014

Q. Cindy, How can RDs support the new person-centered care trend to liberalized diets? If we do this, will there be a need for RDs?

A. This question comes from an RD consultant who was told by her administrator to begin implementing these changes to liberalize diets. Her concern is very far from the truth. There is a lot of education that needs to be done around the benefits of liberalized diets and why this is the best way possible for the residents. Registered Dietitians (RDs), Dietetic Technicians, Registered (DTRs) and Certified Dietary Managers (CDMs) should be leading the way.

If you’re just getting started, familiarize yourself with the New Dining Practice Standards regarding liberalized diets.

When RDs, DTRs and CDMs serve as leaders in this culture change, residents experience better health and restored dignity.

For more about inspiring a service mentality, read Hospitality for Boomers: How to attract residents, retain staff, and maximize profitability. Although it was written about the Baby Boomers we serve, the core information is applicable to any age group. For hands-on help implementing higher service standards, bring Kind Dining® Training to your senior living community. To get started, call 503-913-1978.

Posted in Q&A with Cindy permalink

About Cindy Heilman

Cindy is the founder and owner of Kind Dining®, which she began in 2006. She’s traveled across the country and Canada working with and training senior living communities that want to create an exceptional dining experience for their residents and staff. In addition, she certifies select professionals in her Kind Dining® philosophy and provides tools, now in an eLearning format, that make learning stick and help people put insights into action. As a result of her work, clients often share their staff has a new sense of purpose, get along better and keep their focus and energy on what matters most. In fact, she wrote a book, Hospitality for Boomers on how to attract residents and keep good team members. In her free time, she enjoys walking Oregon trails and cheering on her favorite soccer teams, the Portland Thorns and Timbers.

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