HI! I’m Dore Berens and I am a Sodexo dietetic intern (Fall 2019). I’m a little late to the party- this is technically my third career, I suppose, but I could not be more excited! I’ve always been involved in food and nutrition, but becoming an RD has always been a goal (albeit a bit of an intimidating one). I graduated from Colorado State University in 2003 with my degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition but decided to go the culinary route. Fast forward 16 years later, a couple of college “refresher” courses (MNT1 and 2 at the same time which BTW did not exist when I previously graduated) this past spring and its now October and I’m in my second rotation already!
I’m currently working on my selected concentration, Senior Living. I worked for Sodexo as a food operations manager for a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) for a handful of years, and I find myself very happy in that setting. I am lucky to have networked while working that job and was able to secure a preceptor who knows my skillset and can really focus on the areas where I need the most improvement.
The site that I am interning at is Julia Temple, a SNF/rehab and LTC facility primarily consisting of memory care. While I do have experience in LTC, I don’t have much experience working with the mild to severe dementia population. Furthermore, as I am still learning how to do assessments and interviews, I have yet another learning curve thrown in the mix. This is an opportunity I am so grateful for. Most of the residents that I deal with daily are not able to appropriately express their needs, and some are non-verbal. This does not mean that I simply write “non-communicative” in their chart and keep plugging away. It means that I need to work a little harder to get all the pieces of the puzzle. By interacting with residents, picking up on their body language or verbal cues, watching meal times, talking to families/staff, coloring with them or letting a resident kiss my hands to re-direct her from crying out, I am able to get information that I need. I can look at their skin. I can look at their faces and expressions. I can look in their eyes. I can feel the muscles or lack of in their hands. I can touch their shoulders and get a feel for their nutritional status. I can look at their legs or feet for swelling. It is so much more than a verbal interview.
I am working hard, and I am contributing, and the team working here has been nothing short of great. I was instantly integrated into their IDT/leadership team. I attend morning meetings, care conferences, and trainings. I’ve attended wound rounds with the ADON and the wound doctor, and just today a nurse walked me through a bolus feed through a PEG for non-verbal resident who held my hand the whole time.
I’m currently working on my selected concentration, Senior Living. I worked for Sodexo as a food operations manager for a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) for a handful of years, and I find myself very happy in that setting. I am lucky to have networked while working that job and was able to secure a preceptor who knows my skillset and can really focus on the areas where I need the most improvement.
The site that I am interning at is Julia Temple, a SNF/rehab and LTC facility primarily consisting of memory care. While I do have experience in LTC, I don’t have much experience working with the mild to severe dementia population. Furthermore, as I am still learning how to do assessments and interviews, I have yet another learning curve thrown in the mix. This is an opportunity I am so grateful for. Most of the residents that I deal with daily are not able to appropriately express their needs, and some are non-verbal. This does not mean that I simply write “non-communicative” in their chart and keep plugging away. It means that I need to work a little harder to get all the pieces of the puzzle. By interacting with residents, picking up on their body language or verbal cues, watching meal times, talking to families/staff, coloring with them or letting a resident kiss my hands to re-direct her from crying out, I am able to get information that I need. I can look at their skin. I can look at their faces and expressions. I can look in their eyes. I can feel the muscles or lack of in their hands. I can touch their shoulders and get a feel for their nutritional status. I can look at their legs or feet for swelling. It is so much more than a verbal interview.
I am working hard, and I am contributing, and the team working here has been nothing short of great. I was instantly integrated into their IDT/leadership team. I attend morning meetings, care conferences, and trainings. I’ve attended wound rounds with the ADON and the wound doctor, and just today a nurse walked me through a bolus feed through a PEG for non-verbal resident who held my hand the whole time.
