Long Term Care RD

Long Term Care RD

by Michelle Saari, MS RD

Health & Fitness Nutrition

Season 1

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. This isn’t just another CEU library. It’s practical, real-world support with: ✔ Exact wording for nutrition care plans ✔ Charting templates you can use immediately ✔ Survey & audit preparation guidance ✔ Documentation frameworks that show clinical reasoning ✔ High-risk tracking tools ✔ Step-by-step examples for real LTC scenarios ✔ A community of dietitians who understand this field My mission is simple: To help dietitians feel less alone in practice — and more confident every single day. If you’ve ever second guessed your documentation… If you’ve ever rewritten a care plan 5 times… If you’ve ever felt unprepared when survey walked in… This episode is for you. ⚠️ Important: Membership pricing increases on March 1. If you join before then, you lock in the current rate. This is your opportunity to become a founding member and grow with us as we build the largest and only comprehensive membership platform dedicated to LTC dietitians. You don’t have to practice alone anymore. 🔗 Links & Resources: 👉 Join Clinical Nutrition Central (before March 1 pricing increase): https://clinicalnutritioncentral.com 👉 Explore more LTC dietitian resources: https://longtermcarerd.com

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 batching PES statements, quick NFPE rounds, protected lunch breaks, and boundary-setting tips. Episode Briefing + Links Mentioned Intro & Why This Matters for LTC RDs Mindset Shift: Compassion + Boundaries Flexible Daily Routine Framework Top Time-Saving Hacks (Charting, Prioritization, Teamwork) Burnout Prevention Quick Wins Encouragement & Next Steps Link: Top 16 Time Saving Charting Tips Ready to save hours weekly with ready-made tools? Join Clinical Nutrition Central at clinicalnutritioncentral.com ($19.95/month or $199.95/year—2 months free annually) for instant access to PES cheat sheets, resident trackers, evidence summaries, webinars, sample care plans, and a private community of fellow LTC RDs for fast peer support. Subscribe now, leave a review if this helps, and elevate your practice—one efficient day at a time!

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 a free resource! https://longtermcarerd.com/nutrition-focused-physical-exam/ Healing a pressure injury as a Dietitian online webinar: https://longtermcarerd.com/product/virtual-dietitian-meeting/ Contact Michelle and get on the waitlist for the upcoming membership site by sending her an email at: info@longtermcarerd.com

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 Dementia How it affects nutrition What to monitor in the early, middle and late stages Nutrition interventions throughout If you want to sign up for the membership site waitlist, e-mail Michelle at info@longtermcarerd.com 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 Care RD on: Facebook and Instagram @longtermcarerd Pinterest @longtermcarerd

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: info@longtermcarerd.com 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/the-top-5-foods-a-dementia-patient-needs-to-eat/ https://longtermcarerd.com/listoffingerfoodsfordementiapatients/

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

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