Long-Term Care Survey Alert

Overall goal: If the physician's order says all fluids have to be of "honey consistency," individualize that to the resident's preferences and find ways to avoid "flavor fatigue," suggests Marian Scharwachter, RD, CPHRM, LNHA, who is CEO of Myziva.com.

For example, "some residents don't want milk shakes because they are too sweet but will accept a yogurt smoothie -- or, if they like coffee, a coffee-flavored shake," she says.

"Offer naturally thickened foods in lieu of formally thickened ones -- for example, pudding and thick soups," she adds.

Also, if you are going to add an artificial thickener, do so at the point of service, Scharwachter suggests. "If you add [the thickener] in the kitchen,"the beverage can become "overly thick" by the time you serve it.