Have a feeding assistant program at your facility?

[LisaRee 0]

Hi all,

I'm trying SO hard to get a feeding assistant program going at my facility and was wondering if anyone out there has one where they are.

We have so many lower functioning residents who need to be fed, but not always enough *GASP* staff to feed them at the same time. I know my activity aides and other staff would be willing to take the training they need to feed but I've always hit a dead end trying to talk to administration and nursing supervisor about it. This time I'm not stopping! I was just wondering if anyone had any tips about how I could talk them into it. Thanks--Lisa

[aRBeRec 0]

I would first do a QA, put a report together with numbers, that seems to get through to Administrators and Corporate the best. Take a roster of all your patients and take a count; independent eaters, assistant or cueing needed, and total feeders. If you have more "feeders" than staff then suggest something like a "Second Seating" (that's what we call ours). The independent eaters eat at the first seating and then those who need assistance are assigned to Second Seating where Recreation, Nursing, Dietary, and other Staff all help patients by either feeding or encouraging them to eat. The dietician also adds people to Second Seating if they've have a significant weight loss, so if they're not keen on the feeding program then talk about weight loss... hope that helps.

[Mel 0]

I would first do a QA, put a report together with numbers, that seems to get through to Administrators and Corporate the best. Take a roster of all your patients and take a count; independent eaters, assistant or cueing needed, and total feeders. If you have more "feeders" than staff then suggest something like a "Second Seating" (that's what we call ours). The independent eaters eat at the first seating and then those who need assistance are assigned to Second Seating where Recreation, Nursing, Dietary, and other Staff all help patients by either feeding or encouraging them to eat. The dietician also adds people to Second Seating if they've have a significant weight loss, so if they're not keen on the feeding program then talk about weight loss... hope that helps.

 

Is it allowed in your state? In California it's not allowed, we were actually questioned on our dietician feeding last survey because they thought she was a paid feeder only.

[turtle 0]

All of our activity staff are also CNAs so that we can assist with things like the dining program. My staff are assigned to those residents who would benefit from having someone sit with them 1:1 and encourage them to eat. I would be cautious in calling it a "Feeding Assistant Program" as we are assisting our residents to eat, feeding is what we do with very young children. Saying that we are feeding a resident has been considered a diginity issue in some states during the annual survey process. Just something to think about.

 

Heather

[aRBeRec 0]

Is it allowed in your state? In California it's not allowed, we were actually questioned on our dietician feeding last survey because they thought she was a paid feeder only.

 

Never had any problems, all our staff our trained to feed and are re-inserviced annually.

[cindytexan 1]

Never had any problems, all our staff our trained to feed and are re-inserviced annually.

 

 

I'm the only Activity staff in the building. I don't have time to do Nursing's job.

It's been my experience that if you take on something that nursing usually does it will become your job permantly. They will staff less people and your stuck.