From the Guidelines
Therapeutic dining is appropriate for patients who have specific nutritional needs, swallowing difficulties, or require assistance with eating, as determined by a healthcare professional, such as a speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, or dietitian 1.
Qualifying Conditions for Therapeutic Dining
The following conditions may qualify a patient for therapeutic dining:
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
- Risk of aspiration
- Conditions affecting independent eating, such as stroke or Parkinson's disease
- Requirement for modified food textures or consistencies
- Significant weight loss or malnutrition
- Need for monitoring during meals to ensure adequate intake
- Cognitive impairments, such as dementia, that affect focus during mealtimes
- Physical limitations that make self-feeding challenging
Goal of Therapeutic Dining
The primary goal of therapeutic dining is to maintain nutritional status, prevent complications like aspiration pneumonia, and promote independence in eating when possible, as supported by the most recent guidelines on clinical nutrition in neurology 1 and home enteral nutrition 1.
Assessment for Therapeutic Dining
Assessment for therapeutic dining typically involves evaluation by a healthcare professional, such as a speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, or dietitian, who can determine the specific interventions needed, as outlined in the espen practical guideline on home enteral nutrition 1.
Key Considerations
Therapeutic dining provides a structured environment where healthcare professionals can observe eating behaviors, implement specific feeding strategies, and ensure proper positioning during meals, as recommended by the espen guidelines on definitions and terminology of clinical nutrition 1.
From the Research
Qualification for Therapeutic Dining
To qualify for therapeutic dining, a patient typically requires a specific medical condition or nutritional need that necessitates a tailored dietary approach. The following factors may qualify a patient for therapeutic dining:
- Medical conditions such as diabetes, heart failure, or malnutrition 2, 3, 4
- Nutritional deficiencies or inadequacies, including macro- and micronutrient deficiencies 5
- Increased risk of malnutrition due to factors such as age, disease, or environmental conditions 5, 4
- Need for medical nutrition therapy to manage a medical condition or promote quality of life 6
Assessment and Evaluation
The qualification process for therapeutic dining typically involves an assessment and evaluation of the patient's individual medical condition, needs, desires, and rights. This may include:
- Nutritional assessment using tools such as the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score or the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) 2
- Evaluation of the patient's medical history, dietary habits, and lifestyle factors 6, 4
- Consultation with a qualified dietetics professional to develop an individualized nutrition intervention plan 6
Goals of Therapeutic Dining
The goals of therapeutic dining may include: