how Dietitians fit into the pace model
Each day, CenterLight participants receive care and services from a team of professionals called the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT). We spoke to Phyllis Russell, Registered Dietitian at Teamcare, about the role of Dietitians in the IDT.
What is the role of a dietitian within the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT)?
CenterLight PACE Dietitians work with our participants, their caregivers and other members of the IDT to create an individualized meal plan according to the participants’ health conditions and food preferences.
As one of the registered dietitians at CenterLight, I do home visits where I can help participants manage their diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol or their weight by ensuring they have the education they need to stay with a healthy diet.
I also teach exciting classes once a month. We talk about the importance of nutrition, we make smoothies, we talk about what’s new in the news that affect their health.
How does the dietitian work with the rest of the IDT?
The dietitian works very closely with all the members of the team. For example, when I do meal observations, I can see if participants need any type of help with feeding and if so I can go to the occupational therapist who can then order adaptive equipment.
I also work with the social workers. When I make my home visits, if I ever notice that participants have issues perhaps with finances, or they don’t have food or anything that may come up, I can go to the social workers who can then help them apply for food stamps or find another solution.
Also I work with the nurses and doctors dealing with participants’ clinical status in managing their diabetes and their hypertension.
The team always comes together so we can discuss everything that’s going on with our participants.
Can you tell us about meal observation?
I do meal observation at our center once a week. This is when I come during lunch time and take note of how participants are eating, what they’re eating, what they’re not eating, and if someone has difficulty with chewing and swallowing. Through this program I can also see if they’re having difficulty feeding themselves. And sometimes I do actually sit down and help feed the participants.
Beyond your role in helping participants get proper nutrition, what is your goal as a dietitian?
If I notice they don’t like something, for example, I can go back to our vendor and report back if they didn’t perhaps like the chicken that day or they don’t like the way it was cooked, they don’t like the flavor. Always, everything is about our participants and making sure they’re happy and they like what they’re receiving.
What is the advantage of having a dietitian as part of the team?
Through the IDT, our participants have access to every single discipline that they need to help them stay well in the community.
Not many people have access to a dietitian. Maybe you can go to the clinic, you can see a doctor, you can run into a nurse, but where’s the dietitian? But here at CenterLight, with Teamcare, since we have this Interdisciplinary approach, I’m part of the team.
What inspires you about your work?
My work is mostly inspired by helping the population that we have here enjoy their years right now. I am motivated by just interacting with our participants, seeing them enjoy the food, talking with them. Our participants are so much fun. I learn a lot from them as much as I try to educate them.
H3329_2020BLOG_Dietitian Approved 03112020
Last updated March 5, 2020
about the writer
Phyllis Russell has worked at CenterLight for more than 3 years.
