Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Celiacs In Nursing Homes - How Can We Make Sure They Are Safe.

georgie

Recommended Posts

georgie Enthusiast
georgie
Posted

A friend of mine rang in tears. Her father has dementia since a stroke and now has had a fall and been put into a Nursing Home. He has been Celiac for many years - basically eating correctly with the occasional lapse for which he suffered each time. Now he is in this Nursing Home the staff are giving him cookies as 'one won't matter', and making him sandwiches with regular bread. My friend can't seem to make them understand that he needs a special diet. He is 82 with dementia - is it worth the fight and aggro ? Or does she have to sit back and let them feed him like they are?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Ursa Major Collaborator
Ursa Major
Posted

What your friend needs to do is talk to her father's doctor. The doctor needs to go to the nursing home and make them understand that his diet is medically necessary, and can't be deviated on. Maybe a nutritionist can go and talk to the staff and educate them.

Somebody they will listen to needs to tell those blockheads at the nursing home that they are KILLING the man with their cookies and sandwiches!

Luvs to Scrap Apprentice
Luvs to Scrap
Posted

I agree that having the dr talk o the nursing home about needing to be strict with the diet would be helpful. For some reason some people just don't believe people who live with the diet every day. Your post made me realize how lucky we are with the nursing home in town where my DH grandma lives. Someone comes in and makes her special bread and they are very careful what they give her. They even served gluten-free peanut butter cookies at the Christmas party for everyone. DS and DH were thrilled because they actually had something to eat too at the party. They have also but gluten-free sandwiches on a plate for grandma, DS and DH at other parties. DH hasn't gotten sick eating what they say is safe so I think they must be pretty careful. Grandma cheats but it is her choice not their fault and it is usually at one of our family things. My DS and DH do not cheat and it frustrates me when she does because it makes me look ultra strict and paranoid about my husband and son and being careful about what they eat. DH says if he is 80 something and lives a couple feet from the bathroom and doesn't have anything else to do he guesses it would be ok to cheat but he currently does not think it is work the big D and health problems.

Possibly providing staff with some "safe" cookies that they can give the resident might be an option too since they seem to be inclined to think he needs cookies. I wish your friend the best and hope the nursing home gets a clue soon! Kendra

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted
A friend of mine rang in tears. Her father has dementia since a stroke and now has had a fall and been put into a Nursing Home. He has been Celiac for many years - basically eating correctly with the occasional lapse for which he suffered each time. Now he is in this Nursing Home the staff are giving him cookies as 'one won't matter', and making him sandwiches with regular bread. My friend can't seem to make them understand that he needs a special diet. He is 82 with dementia - is it worth the fight and aggro ? Or does she have to sit back and let them feed him like they are?

Contact his doctor and contact the head of the nursing home or better yet have your lawyer do it. Be firm as Ursa said they are killing him and not painlessly.

Viola 1 Rookie
Viola 1
Posted

Waht a shame! And doing it to someone that can't stand up for themselves. That's scary.

Yes, ... get that doctor involved, and if necessary a lawyer.

Generic Apprentice
Generic
Posted

I don't know how it is down in Australia (I'm assuming that is where he is too). My mom worked in nursing homes for years, as a nurse. She says the food they feed the paitents is absolute crap. Every thing and I mean everything comes pre-made just add water etc. She has seen a decline in people's health eating all the preservatives and additives.

She had seen (she is retired now) about a 300% increase in bed sores, skin tears and those little "hang nail" skin pieces around the finger nails. She has always been very nutrtion conscience. When my great-grandma was put into a home they put her in the home where my mom worked. My G-Gram was diagnosed w/celiac at 82.

She said just about any time they got a new dietician or nutritionist they would give her the wrong food. They really just have no clue. (Now I am not saying all dieticians or nutrtionists are clueless, so please don't take offence if you are one). The problem is most of the food has tons of gluten in it in one form or another. The kitchen staff would actually have to cook something from scratch -oh the horror!

-Laurie

Nancym Enthusiast
Nancym
Posted

My Mom is in a pretty nice nursing home, very family like, lovely place. Anyway, even so it seems like the kitchen is extremely disorganized. Yeah, I would imagine getting a proper diet from a nursing home would be like getting the same from a hospital, really difficult. Still, they're supposed to be able to handle that.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


angel-jd1 Community Regular
angel-jd1
Posted

I know that nursing homes currently don't seem to be able to comprehend the term gluten free. I am hoping that by the time that I need a nursing home they have it down pat.

I am sure years ago they had no clue about diets for diabetic people, people with low sodium diets and so on. However, they have learned with their learning curve. I hope it is the same way for gluten free diets.

By the time my generation gets in nursing homes, they will have a jillion food allergies and intollerances to be cooking for. They had better start practicing now :P

-Jessica :rolleyes:

happygirl Collaborator
happygirl
Posted

Maybe by the time we are there, Jessica, there will be specialty gluten free nursing homes ;).

angel-jd1 Community Regular
angel-jd1
Posted
Maybe by the time we are there, Jessica, there will be specialty gluten free nursing homes ;).

That's what I am hoping for! ha

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Colleen H
      - Colleen H posted a topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      0

      Oh my goodness medication causing pain !!!!

      I think I found a huge culprit for severe reactions to create worsening of my c symptoms. Do people with celiac have sensitivity and /or have opposite reaction to certain medications Where can I find a list ? I'm new here I'm.wondering why I am getting worse when I take certain medicine...the burning feet. Rebound muscle pain so intense ...
    2. Colleen H
      - Colleen H replied to Colleen H's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      2

      Stomach burning and neuropathy

      Does anyone know if that includes scrambled eggs and healthy smart butter (,gluten free) I add a very tiny amount of margarine less than a teaspoon. I did no't have any bread It just seems like no matter what I eat my stomach and nerves over fire and here comes a host of horrible symptoms. My lower abdomen feels horrible, my right...
    3. dixonpete
      0

      Inoculation and video development

    4. Juliane
      - Juliane replied to Colleen H's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      2

      Stomach burning and neuropathy

      Yeah, that sounds super familiar. When inflammation levels are high — especially at the start of changing your diet — the body often develops a fructose and lactose intolerance. Unfortunately, the only thing that really helps is cutting out anything that isn’t lactose-free or that contains sugar. So basically, stick to meat, veggies, fish…
    5. RMJ
      - RMJ replied to Me,Sue's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      1

      Nausea

      I have trouble with nausea. It often starts when I’m anxious about something (home repairs, sick dog) but continues long after the home is repaired or the dog is healthy again. When it happens I eat less and lose weight. My gastroenterologist suggested ginger or peppermint tea. I don’t know if that will work or not because I haven't had the problem since she...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,845
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Mack22343
    Newest Member
    Mack22343
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Colleen H
      Oh my goodness medication causing pain !!!!

      By Colleen H · Posted

      I think I found a huge culprit for severe reactions to create worsening of my c symptoms. Do people with celiac have sensitivity and /or have opposite reaction to certain medications Where can I find a list ?  I'm new here I'm.wondering why I am getting worse when I take certain medicine...the burning feet.  Rebound muscle pain so intense  How many people get opposite effects or have a horrible attack after these meds
    • Colleen H
      Stomach burning and neuropathy

      By Colleen H · Posted

      Does anyone know if that includes scrambled eggs and healthy smart butter (,gluten free) I add a very tiny amount of margarine less than a teaspoon.  I did no't have any bread    It just seems like no matter what I eat my stomach and nerves over fire and here comes a host of horrible symptoms. My lower abdomen feels horrible, my right leg thigh muscle.. very odd. Jaw pain. Burning feet , joint pain , you name it  The anxiety just creeps up into brain fog. I don't think I could explain this to anyone who is unfamiliar.  Also,  I most likely will not remember posting this until I check it.  This is highly unusual for me because I have an excellent memory.  One weekend before I knew anything about celiac I lost an entire weekend from severe brain fog, confusion, pain, etc.  I honestly thought I was losing my mind. When I think back I recall eating a lot of PBJ sandwiches and turkey sandwiches.  Once again did not know about gluten.  I was just too sick to cook. Do people fast during attacks ?? It seems horrible to keep going through this. I hope I'm not causing my own problems... I wonder if I should fast because I'm not eating gluten .  Chicken ,  scrambled eggs no milk , canned carrots,  gluten free low sugar low fat Greek yogurt which I already posted about 😞 Any suggestions I am open... I am bedridden when this happens to me.  Thank you Celiac community. 🙏🏻❤️      
    • Juliane
      Stomach burning and neuropathy

      By Juliane · Posted

      Yeah, that sounds super familiar. When inflammation levels are high — especially at the start of changing your diet — the body often develops a fructose and lactose intolerance. Unfortunately, the only thing that really helps is cutting out anything that isn’t lactose-free or that contains sugar. So basically, stick to meat, veggies, fish…
    • RMJ
      Nausea

      By RMJ · Posted

      I have trouble with nausea. It often starts when I’m anxious about something (home repairs, sick dog) but continues long after the home is repaired or the dog is healthy again. When it happens I eat less and lose weight.  My gastroenterologist suggested ginger or peppermint tea. I don’t know if that will work or not because I haven't had the problem since she suggested it.
    • Colleen H
      Stomach burning and neuropathy

      By Colleen H · Posted

      Hello  I'm not sure what to think . Seems no matter what I do I get sick. I had some yogurt with only 2 grams of sugar and is labeled gluten free ...the strawberry version seemed to really set me off My jaw is burning as well as my stomach and my feet.  Horrible pain..plus acid reflux and nausea... sensitivity to touch pain. ..yikes !! I don't know if it's from the lactose in the yogurt or if I'm getting an ulcer  This condition can make you question yourself quite a bit.  Then if you are not sure the anxiety comes 😞 Does any of these symptoms sound familiar to anyone? The neuropathy is quite intense.  What do you eat or drink after this happens  Open to suggestions  Thank you 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.