Nursing Home Policies on Items Brought in From the Outside for Facility Residents

Despite overall strict policies regarding the monitoring of access to over-the-counter medications, alcohol, and cigarettes by nursing home residents, ingestion of outside food remains fairly unrestricted. This is especially concerning given the growing number of residents with end-stage congestive heart failure, diabetes, dysphagia, or food allergies where access to outside food could result in an adverse event. Perhaps, facilities need to identify at-risk residents and better communicate to residents and their families regarding dietary restrictions on outside food.