Roxann Michalik

Correct eating process helps the patent in recovering quickly. Some of your elder and weak clients might need your help, while eating. Every patient has his/her own specific requirements for assistance. Some of them require a little bit of help (for e.g. you might require to cut food into smaller portions for them), while others necessitate a lot of assistance.

Identify the level of support your client need in feeding. If the patients are physically able to eat food, allow them to have food at their own. Here is the step-wise procedure to feed a patient.

Steps 1- Thoroughly wash your hands  In order to prevent contamination of food, rinse your hands using antibacterial soap or cleanser.

Step 2- Explain the patient about your task Greet your client and tell him that you are going to assist them in feeding. Ask them to wash their hands and sit properly.

Step 3- Inquire the patient, if he/she needs your help All the patients do not require similar level of help. Some clients have no need of your help, while others have a little to a lot of requirement of assistance in having their meal.

Therefore, it’s better to ask them whether they actually need an aid and if yes, which type of aid?

Step 4- Observe the patients, when they chew and swallow the food Ensure that your patient appropriately chew and swallow the food. Check, if the client is encountering any difficulty with food’s texture or size.

Step 5- Wash hands When the client finishes his food, help him in washing his hand. You are also required to rinse your hands, after completion of the process.

Tip- Wash your hands properly up to the wrist, using antibacterial cleanser or soap.

Tip- Ask your patient to use toilet and rinse hands, before start eating.

Tip- Help the patient to sit in a correct manner, so that he/she doesn’t feel any difficulty in eating the food.

Tip- Always ensure that the food items match with the diet order of the resident.

Tip- Apply a bib or any other appropriate cover to protect the clothing of the patient

Tip- Hot food or liquid may cause burns in the mouth of the patient. Therefore, before serving the food, check its temperature.

Tip- Cut the food into small portions, if your patient needs so.

Tip- Use appropriate utensils and feed right sized bites to the patients.

Tip- Interact with the patient, as appropriate.

Tip- Feed liquid and solid food alternately, according to the client’s preference.

Tip- Feed the next bite, only when the resident has completely swallowed the first bite.

Tip- Clean the hands and mouth of the patient, once he/she completes food.

Tip- Clean the area where the client has ate food using disinfectant. Remove the dirty tray and put it at the right place.

Tip- Cleanse your hands, after completing the assignment.

Feeding a patient at the nursing home is really a very hectic job. You have to assist your client in reaching the dining hall from their room. All patients are not capable to have their meal at dining hall, so they eat food in their own room. In this case, you are required to assist these patients by passing food trays. You are also required to help out those clients, who are not able to eat at their own. Some new CNAs feel hesitation in feeding the elderly patients.

You can remove the feeling of discomfort by chatting with the patients, while feeding them. Don’t stop chat, even if the sufferer doesn’t respond. It will help in reducing your stress. While feeding the sufferer, have courtesy and patience. Never make your client to feel rushed, when they are eating. If you will do so, they will consider them as a burden and their diet intake also decreases.

If the appetite of the patient decreases, notify it to the supervisor nurse. While feeding the client, follow the diet chart recommended by the doctor. Always have empathy with your patient!