Long Term Care RD
Discover the power of nutrition with the Long Term Care RD podcast—your go-to resource for Registered Dietitians thriving in skilled nursing, nursing homes, and long-term care or ANYONE working with older adults to seniors!Hosted by Michelle Saari, MS, RD—a seasoned clinical dietitian with over a decade of experience optimizing nutrition for older adults—this podcast delivers practical, evidence-based strategies you can implement right away to improve resident outcomes and streamline your workflow.Each episode breaks down real-world challenges in senior nutrition: from mastering the Nutrition Focused Physical Exam (NFPE) and writing bulletproof PES statements, to managing unintentional weight...
Why Strict Diabetes Diets DON'T Work in Seniors!
When walking into a long-term care facility or looking at a senior’s meal plan, seeing a strict "diabetic" or "low sugar" diet ordered might seem like standard, high-quality care.
However, major clinical organizations—including the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics—have advocated AGAINST routine, restrictive diabetic diets in geriatrics for over two decades.
In this video, Michelle, Registered Dietitian and founder of Long Term Care RD, explains why strict diabetic diets often fail in nursing homes and older adults. Learn why restrictive meal plans frequently lead to meal refusa...
Protein Goals for Seniors - You're Going Too Low!
How Much Protein Do Seniors ACTUALLY Need? (You're Probably Not Getting Enough)
How much protein do you really need after 65? If you think the answer is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight, you may be surprised.
For years, the standard protein recommendation has been 0.8 grams per kilogram per day. But for many older adults, that amount may be enough to prevent deficiency without necessarily being the ideal amount for supporting muscle health, strength, mobility, and recovery.
In this video, I break down what older adults need to know about protein, why your protein...
A1C Targets for Seniors That You're Getting Wrong!
For years, people with diabetes have heard the same message: get your A1C as low as possible. Tighter blood sugar control is always better… right?
Not necessarily.
For many older adults, especially those living with multiple health conditions, frailty, cognitive changes, or functional limitations, aggressively lowering blood sugar can increase the risk of hypoglycemia. And in older adults, low blood sugar can have serious consequences, including confusion, weakness, dizziness, falls, hospitalization, and loss of independence.
In this episode, we’re talking about why diabetes management changes as we age and why there is n...
The #1 Mistake Killing Your Dementia Patient's Appetite (And It's Not the Food)
Struggling to get someone with dementia to eat even when you're making all their favorite meals? You're not making a mistake with the food. You're likely making the #1 mistake almost every caregiver makes: focusing on nutrition quality instead of the eating experience.
In this episode, I'm breaking down why "perfect" nutrition can actually backfire in dementia care, and walking through what actually works instead simplifying food for easier eating, building a calmer mealtime routine, adapting to changing taste preferences, and shifting from forcing food to encouraging it.
Whether you're caring for...
Why Being Overweight Might Be the Healthiest After 65!
Why a “Normal” BMI May Not Be Healthy After 65 |
The Truth About BMI in Older Adults If you're over 65, the BMI chart you've been using your entire life may not tell the whole story. We've all been taught that a “normal” BMI falls between 18.5 and 24.9. But when it comes to older adults, research tells a different story. In fact, a BMI between approximately 23.0 and 29.9 may be associated with better outcomes for many adults over 65.
So why does the healthy BMI range appear to shift as we age? In this episode, I break down the rese...
Top 5 Tricks to Stimulate Appetite in Seniors!
Struggling to get an elderly parent, grandparent, or resident to eat? You're not alone — appetite loss in older adults is one of the most common (and most stressful) challenges in senior care. In this episode, we break down the real causes of appetite loss in the elderly — from medical changes and sensory decline to dementia, dental issues, depression, and medication side effects — and then walk through 5 practical, dietitian-backed tricks to help stimulate appetite and increase intake.
You'll learn:
✅ The 6 most common causes of appetite loss in seniors
✅ How to fortify food to pack in more ca...
Being Survey Ready Isn't Rocket Science... It's These 5 Daily Habits That Will Make It Simple!
If the thought of a state survey or audit makes you want to panic and start reviewing every chart you've touched for the last six months, you're not alone!
Being surveyed can feel intimidating, but here's the good news: you don't become survey ready the week before survey.
You become survey ready by consistently doing the things you already know how to do as a dietitian.
Following the Nutrition Care Process. Keeping up with your residents. Documenting your clinical reasoning. Following up on interventions. Keeping care plans current.
In this episode...
You're Not a Bad Dietitian... Long Term Care is Just Hard!
You Asked, I Answered: 3 Questions LTC Dietitians Ask All the Time
It’s been a little while since I’ve recorded a podcast episode—and I’m so happy to be back!
For this episode, I’m answering three real-world questions that come up for dietitians working with older adults and in long-term care.
These aren’t textbook questions. They’re the kinds of situations that make you stop and think, “Okay…what do I actually do with this resident?”
In this episode, we’re talking about:
🥗 A resident has lost weight but is st...
Pressure Injury Through Nutrition: RD Tools for Wound Recovery
Episode Overview: In this practical episode of the Long Term Care RD podcast, Michelle breaks down a real-world sample nutrition care plan for a resident with a stage 3 pressure injury. Drawing from over a decade in SNFs, we cover the Nutrition Care Process step-by-step, MDS requirements, and tips to make your documentation survey-ready while supporting better healing for your older adults. Whether you're juggling MDS deadlines or looking for quick interventions to boost protein intake, this episode is designed to save you time and build your confidence in geriatric wound care.
Key Takeaways:
How to craft...Why We're Rethinking Tube Feeding for Patients with Dementia
Links mentioned in show:
Membership Website Learn More At: https://clinicalnutritioncentral.com
Research Article: https://longtermcarerd.com/research-tube-feeding/
In long term care, few topics spark more debate than tube feeding (PEG tubes) for residents with advanced dementia. Families often push for it out of fear and love, physicians may default to it, but what does the latest evidence actually say?
In this episode, Michelle Saari, MS, RD breaks down recent research including eye opening 2025-2026 reviews showing tube feeding frequently brings more burden than benefit.
<...
Mastering PES Statements - Stop Overthinking & Start Charting Confidently
Struggling with PES statements for unintentional weight loss, malnutrition, or geriatric challenges in LTC/SNF?
In this episode, Michelle Saari, MS, RD breaks down common pitfalls, shares a simple step-by-step framework, provides 15 real-world examples tailored to seniors, and offers mindset tips to stop overthinking.
Discover practical goals, interventions (like fortification, adaptive feeding, and between-meal supplements), and monitoring plans used daily in long-term care.
Get started with the free PES guide at https://longtermcarerd.com/
Ready for more time-saving tools? Join Clinical Nutrition Central NOW for exclusive PES...
You Don't Have To Practice Alone Anymore RDs!
If you’re a dietitian working in long-term care, you already know…
This job can feel isolating.
You’re often the only RD in the building. You’re responsible for clinical decisions, survey readiness, documentation, high-risk monitoring, foodservice oversight — and somehow you’re expected to just “figure it out.”
And most of the time?
You’re doing it alone.
In this episode, I’m sharing the story behind why I created Clinical Nutrition Central — the only membership platform built specifically for dietitians working in long-term care, skilled nursing, and nursing homes.
T...
Survival Guide and Hacks for Dietitians to Save Time
Feeling overwhelmed as a new Registered Dietitian —or just tired of chaotic days even after years on the job?
In this practical survival guide, Michelle Saari, MS, RD (with over 10+ years optimizing senior nutrition in skilled nursing and nursing homes), shares a realistic daily routine, mindset shifts, and proven hacks to prioritize residents, streamline charting, boost interdisciplinary teamwork, and prevent burnout.
Whether you're fresh out of internship navigating your first facility or a veteran RD ready to reclaim your schedule, you'll walk away with actionable steps to run your day smarter: from morning stand-up triage to...
Performing the Nutrition Focused Physical Exam as a Dietitian
Are you a Dietitian that wants to know more about exactly how to do the nutrition focused physical exam?
In today's episode, Michelle breaks down exactly step by step how to perform the NFPE, the value of it, what to look for, and offers a free resource summary on what you need to look for.
Help to improve your skills and feel more comfortable performing the NFPE after listening to today's episode!
The following are links mentioned in today's episode:
Step by step article on how to perform the NFPE along with...32: WHY Nutrition Interventions Stop Working in Patients with Dementia
In this episode of Long Term Care RD, Michelle talks about WHY nutrition interventions stop working, specifically when patients have Dementia. She also covers:
The progressive nature of DementiaHow it affects nutritionWhat to monitor in the early, middle and late stagesNutrition interventions throughoutIf you want to sign up for the membership site waitlist, e-mail Michelle at [email protected] and let her know you want to be added to the waitlist!
Links mentioned in today's episode:
https://longtermcarerd.com
https://longtermcarerd.com/ebooks/
Follow along with Long Term...
When Nutrition Interventions Stop Working...
What are you supposed to do when your nutrition interventions have all been tried and nothing is working anymore? How are Dietitians supposed to handle end of life? It's all in today's episode!
If you want to be on the waitlist for our upcoming membership site, simply drop me an e-mail with your name at:
Links mentioned in today's episode:
https://longtermcarerd.com/end-of-life-a-dietitians-essential-education/
https://longtermcarerd.com/product/end-of-life-nutrition/
Late Stage Dementia and Not Eating... What Do I Do??
Are you caring for someone with late stage dementia and they aren't eating?
Are you unsure of what you should be doing?
Then this is the episode for you! Find the balance between whether it's end of life or there are nutrition management tips that you can implement. Find the most effective tips in managing dementia and how to get them to eat again!
Links mentioned in the show:
https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-resource-bundle/
https://longtermcarerd.com/late-stage-dementia-not-eating/
https://longtermcarerd.com/high-energy-high-protein-diet/
https://longtermcarerd.com...
Dementia and Eating Sweets: Finding the Delicate Balance
Find out how a Registered Dietitian recommends finding the delicate balance between Dementia and eating sweets. Do you give in and let them eat all the sweets they want? In this episode, a Dietitian dives into how to offer a balance in order to maintain health, reduce malnutrition, and still give healthy meals.
Links mentioned in today's episode:
https://longtermcarerd.com/dementia-and-eating-sweets/
https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-reference-guide/
https://longtermcarerd.com/category/dementia/
Why the Nutrition Care Process Form is a MUST USE for Dietitians!
Are you a Dietitian that feels short on time?
Do you wish you knew how to chart faster?
Then you need the FREE Nutrition Care Process Form from Long Term Care RD and this episode will tell you exactly how to use it!
Links mentioned in the show:
https://longtermcarerd.com/nutrition-care-process-form/
https://longtermcarerd.com
https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-resource-bundle/
Citrulline for Wound Healing? What a Dietitian Needs to Know
There's new research suggesting that Citrulline is a great wound healing alternative, but what exactly does it do?
Why is there new research recommending it?
Find out all the latest information and more!
Links mentioned in today's episode:
https://longtermcarerd.com/product/virtual-dietitian-meeting/
https://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/site/twc/utilizing-citrulline-efficient-arginine-supplement-wound-healing
https://longtermcarerd.com/category/wounds/
Building a Nutrition Care Plan for a Dementia Patient
Find all the links mentioned in today's episode:
https://longtermcarerd.com/product/virtual-dietitian-meeting/
https://longtermcarerd.com
Wound Care Nutrition: Improving the Dietitian's Job
Not sure what your role is on the wound care team as a Dieitian? Listen to today's podcast episode to find out how set up a system that includes you as a key role on the team!
Links mentioned in today's episode:
https://longtermcarerd.com/product/virtual-dietitian-meeting/
https://longtermcarerd.com/category/blogs/
https://longtermcarerd.com/category/wounds/
Increased Nutrient Needs: The Confusing Nutrition Diagnosis
Learn all about when to use the nutrition diagnosis: Increased Nutrient Needs!
Links mentioned in today's episode:
https://longtermcarerd.com/product/virtual-dietitian-meeting/
https://longtermcarerd.com/increased-nutrient-needs-pes-statement/
https://longtermcarerd.com
Pocketing Food in the Elderly: Prevent, Manage and Treat!
Links mentioned in today's episode:
https://longtermcarerd.com/pocketing-food/
https://longtermcarerd.com/how-to-use-the-meal-observation-screen-form/
https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-reference-guide/
https://longtermcarerd.com/category/dysphagia/
How to Stimulate Appetite in the Elderly!
Links mentioned in today's episode:
https://longtermcarerd.com/product/virtual-dietitian-meeting/
https://longtermcarerd.com/stimulating-appetite-in-elderly/
https://longtermcarerd.com/ebooks/
Breaking Down the Job of a Long Term Care Dietitian
Links mentioned in today's show:
https://longtermcarerd.com/longtermcaredietitian/
https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-reference-guide/
Getting Weights Done in Long Term Care
Links mentioned in the episode:
https://longtermcarerd.com/product/elderly-depression-and-malnutrition-webinar/
https://longtermcarerd.com/how-to-get-weights-done-in-your-ltc-nh-facility/
Treating Constipation: Creating a Tailored Nutrition Care Plan
Links mentioned in the episode:
https://longtermcarerd.com/constipation-care-plan/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4325863/
https://longtermcarerd.com/ebooks/
Am I Ready to be Audited...Preparing for a State Survey PART 2!
Links from today's episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/product/elderly-depression-and-malnutrition-webinar/https://longtermcarerd.com/product/pocket-guide-for-dietitians-prepping-for-state-surveys/https://longtermcarerd.com/category/state-surveys/
Am I Ready to be Audited? Preparing for a Survey
Links mentioned in today's episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/state-surveys/https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-resource-bundle/https://thefitnessnutritionists.thinkific.com/courses/beasurveyreadyrdn?ref=3e8aae
Spotting Malnutrition Early: Save a Life!
Links mentioned in today's show notes:https://longtermcarerd.com/ebooks/https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-reference-guide/https://longtermcarerd.com
Are Thickened Liquids All They're Cracked Up To Be?
Today we discuss thickened liquids, does someone really need them? Are there any pros and cons?Find out more. Here are the links discussed in today's episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/pros-and-cons-of-thickened-liquids/https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-reference-guide/
ADIME Format: What Does This Charting Method Mean for Dietitians?
Links mentioned in today's episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/adime/https://longtermcarerd.com/nutrition-diagnosis-examples/https://longtermcarerd.com/pes-statement-for-diabetes/
Chronic Kidney Disease and Wounds, What's the Nutrition Guidelines?
Links mentioned in today's episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/product/pocket-guide-for-dietitians-prepping-for-state-surveys/https://longtermcarerd.comhttps://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/site/wmp/nutrition-matters/wounds-versus-kidneys?fbclid=IwAR3Yyl327ldLEPp9PjIkKHqyKBLxECpjeyi6d4ueDc6XFFrdbyAkkgXojMg
My Top 5 Things Every Clinical Dietitian NEEDS to Know
Are you a new clinical dietitian? Be sure to check out the resources below!https://longtermcarerd.com/new-dietitian-training/https://longtermcarerd.com/ebooks/https://longtermcarerd.com
Vitamin B12 for the Elderly: Is It a Must Have?
Links discussed in today's episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/vitamin-b12-benefits-for-elderly/https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-reference-guide/https://longtermcarerd.com/ebooks/
Geriatric Failure to Thrive: Solving the Nutrition Issues
Geriatric Failure to Thrive (GFFT) is a condition that many Dietitian's have never heard of, yet it is far more common than we think.Explore in this episode the chronic condition, and how to solve it!Links mentioned in the episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-reference-guide/https://longtermcarerd.com/failure-to-thrive/https://longtermcarerd.com/ebooks/
How to Encourage a Patient with Dementia to Eat!
In today's episode we dive into the difficulties someone with Dementia has when it comes to eating and drinking.Listen today to find out the top 5 ways we can encourage them to eat and drink more!Mentioned links in the episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/dementia-patient/https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-reference-guide/https://longtermcarerd.com
Elderly Appetite Loss and Weight Loss: Is It Inevitable?
Resources mentioned in today's episode:https://longtermcarerd.com/elderly-weight-loss/https://longtermcarerd.com/stimulating-appetite-in-elderly/https://longtermcarerd.com/liberalizing-diets/https://longtermcarerd.com/weight-loss/https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-reference-guide/https://longtermcarerd.com/ebooks/
Nutrition Care Plans: What and HOW Do I Build One?
Nutrition Care Plans can be the bane of a Dietitian's existence in Long Term Care. I break down exactly how you build a nutrition care plan, what goes into it, and give you lots of free resources! This episode is a must listen!Here's the links talked about in the show:https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-reference-guide/https://longtermcarerd.com/category/nutrition-care-plan-examples/
