Allergies
Your relative may be a person who suffers from one or more food allergies. Common causes of allergies are strawberries and shellfish but dairy foods and nuts as well as many other foods can produce an allergic reaction. For some, peanuts or anything containing peanuts or even a smear of peanut oil is lethal.
Residents with any kind of food allergy must have a diet which excludes the foods or ingredients which cause the problem.
The chef will be well aware of diets and allergies and will produce any special diets required by residents who need them for their well being.
Please inform the matron of any:
- special diets
- allergies to certain foods
- allergy to any medications, wasp, bee or other insect stings
- allergy to elastoplast or dressings, etc
in order that all staff including the chef can be informed and are aware of the problem.
Obesity
Doctors are concerned for people and particularly residents who are obese.
People who are overweight are prone to diabetes, heart attack, coronary disease and many other problems.
Unfortunately, the more obese a person becomes the more difficult it becomes to exercise (walking, swimming, etc). Due to their medical condition nursing home residents do not have as much opportunity to exercise as those in residential care homes or their own homes.
Doctors will ask for obese residents to be given a weight reducing diet until their weight falls to an acceptable level.
Unfortunately, many moderately obese residents do not accept they have a weight problem and fail to co-operate with the doctor or the staff in this matter. Some ask their friends and relatives to bring them sweets and biscuits which allows them to continue to have high calorific snacks between meals. This prevents weight loss and means they have to continue with a weight reducing diet when everybody else is having normal food.
If your relative needs a special diet of any kind, please discuss the matter with the matron and ask what delicacies, if any, you would be allowed to bring in for them.