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Food And Nutrition Care In Long-Term Care Facilities: Examining The Perspectives Of Frontline Workers, Renata Blumberg, Charles Feldman, Douglas Murray, Nechama Burnes, Debra Murawski

Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Scholarship and Creative Works

Malnutrition in older adults residing in long-term care facilities continues to be a problem in the United States. Existing research has identified a list of possible contributing factors, including staffing problems. Few studies on food and nutrition care have attempted to gain the perspectives of nursing or dietary aides (henceforth, aides), the frontline staff who work most closely with the residents of long-term care facilities. The current study takes a qualitative approach grounded in a theoretical perspective based on Total Quality Management (TQM) to increase understanding of the interpersonal and management practices that affect resident wellbeing, health, and nutrition. Four …