Residential and assisted living facilities

Consultant RDN visits, residential menus, policy manuals and training for RCFEs and assisted living communities.

An assisted living dietitian consultant in California is usually a quarterly visitor rather than a daily presence, so the visit has to be efficient and the tools left behind have to carry the weight in between. Our RDNs review residents with special diets and weight changes, check the kitchen, and train staff; our residential and assisted living menus are written for the setting, quarterly, with recipes; and our residential facility policy and procedure manual describes a department that meets Title 22.

What we handle for residential and assisted living facilities

  • Registered dietitian coverage

    Our food service and nutrition experts can be placed in your community for long-term or short-term coverage. Many of our RDNs hold specialized clinical expertise and board certifications in gerontological nutrition (CSG), renal nutrition (CSR) or nutrition support (CNSC), and all are trained in the federal and state regulations that apply to your type of facility.

  • Menu services

    Specialized cycle menus, fully IDDSI 2.2 compliant, with custom menus available. Menus are delivered seasonally so they use the freshest ingredients, on paper or through our online MenuCentral™ platform.

  • Cost analysis

    Concerned about your dietary budget? Our RDNs review the whole dietary system, from accounting and purchasing practices to food production, supplement and snack use and labor efficiency, and show you where the money goes.

  • Risk management and QAPI

    Experienced RDNs perform mock surveys, help implement QAPI plans and review the critical aspects of your nutritional care and dietary operations so you go into survey with the risks already handled.

  • Staff training and certification

    Our food and nutrition experts train your staff efficiently and thoroughly, with online education and ServSafe training and certification, so your department runs well between visits.

Menus and manuals for residential and assisted living facilities

Details are on the menus and manuals and forms pages, where you can request a menu quote or order manuals. All menus are fully IDDSI 2.2 compliant.

  • Residential / Assisted Living Facility Menu

    quoted per facility

    Four-week cycle menus for residential and assisted living communities, written quarterly, with nutritional analysis for each diet.

    Diets include Regular, Consistent Carbohydrate, Heart Healthy, Liberal Dialysis, small and large portion, and texture-modified diets at IDDSI Level 6 Soft & Bite-Sized, Level 5 Minced & Moist and Level 4 Pureed. Recipes include HACCP instructions, individual analysis and allergen alerts; daily menu spreadsheets are included and recipes are adjusted to your facility size.

  • Select Standard or Custom Menu

    quoted per facility

    A range of therapeutic diets with recipe instructions. Three- to six-week cycle menus written two to three times a year, with nutritional analysis for each diet.

    Includes master menu forms, daily menu spreadsheets and recipes written for each IDDSI texture level (Level 7 Easy to Chew, Level 6 Soft & Bite-Sized, Level 5 Minced & Moist, Level 4 Pureed). Diets include Regular, Consistent Carbohydrate, Gluten Free, Lactose Free and Liberal Dialysis; other diets can be added.

  • Residential Facility Policy & Procedure Manual

    $229.00 each

    Policies and procedures for providing quality care in the residential care and assisted living setting, based on current federal and California regulations and the latest Federal Food Code.

    Can be customized to your community's needs and systems; pricing for customized versions depends on the extent of the changes and is confirmed after consultation.

  • Monthly Online Menu Subscription

    quoted per facility

    Online access through MenuCentral™ to the current cycle, recipes and daily spreadsheets, with menus updated quarterly.

    A discount applies if you also have RD services with Nutrition Ink.

  • Clinical Notebook

    $25.00 each

    Tracking tools for new individuals, monthly and weekly weights, annuals, pressure areas, tube feeders and dialysis individuals, plus a communication log between the dietary manager and the registered dietitian.

    Includes a hydration protocol, a weight-loss protocol and a tracking system for RDN recommendations to nursing and dietary, so the dietitian and the dietary manager share one consistent record for every resident.

  • Medical Nutrition Diet Therapy Manual (non-Group Home)

    $75.00 each

    A comprehensive diet manual, first published in 2002 and updated yearly, for interpreting diets, complying with federal regulations and clarifying physician orders. Covers long-term-care standards including liberalized diets.

  • Successful Survey Toolkit (full set)

    $150.00 per set

    Laminated training guides that prepare kitchen staff for survey, covering 20 topics from cool-down procedures to handwashing, plus a quick reference guide, quiz cards and a scoop-sizes chart. Available in English or Spanish.

    Topics include calibrating thermometers, cleaning and sanitizing equipment (ice machine, meat slicer, thermometers), the cool-down process, disaster preparedness, dish machine sanitation, fire suppression, talking with surveyors, food temperatures, labeling, dating and storage, two- and three-compartment dishwashing, menu substitutions, thawing, handwashing and glove use, puree instructions and sanitizer-bucket testing.

Regulations we work to

Residential care facilities for the elderly in California are licensed by Community Care Licensing under Title 22, which sets the food service and menu requirements, and their kitchens follow the California Retail Food Code. Our residential manuals and menus are written to those rules rather than adapted from skilled nursing.

Talk to us about your program. Tell us about the facility and what you need, and a staff specialist will be in touch.

Contact us