Nutrition plays a vital role in the well-being and quality of life for individuals in adult day care settings. Offering educational resources on healthy eating habits, food safety, and dietary needs specific to older adults can help caregivers and health professionals provide better care. This collection of educational materials is designed to support adult day care providers in addressing the unique nutritional and health needs of their clients. From understanding the fundamentals of the USDA Food Pyramid to managing dietary guidelines for people with Parkinson’s disease, these resources offer valuable insights into promoting health through food and exercise. Below is a compilation of essential videos, books, and guides, tailored for adult day care audiences.
Daily Food Choices for Healthy Living
1997
This updated video is based on the USDA Food Guide Pyramid, incorporating the latest research on what North Americans consume and the nutrients found in those foods. With guidance from nutrition experts, health specialists, and family and consumer science teachers, it demonstrates how to make healthier food choices. The video explains the “basic food groups” using the Food Guide Pyramid, helping viewers understand how much to eat from each group to get essential nutrients. It also provides tips on reducing sugar and salt intake and includes special activities for pregnant teens and young women. Internet links and interactive activities are provided.
Audience: Upper Elementary, High School, Health Clinics, Parents, Adult Day Care
Format: 20-minute video, Teacher’s Guide
Dementia: The Power of Nutrition in Caregiving
1998
Created by the Montana Alzheimer’s Demonstration Project, this presentation kit offers everything you need to conduct a 45-minute session on dementia and nutrition. It features a 12-minute video, photo-ready handouts, overheads, and a promotional flyer. A step-by-step guide ensures the presentation runs smoothly.
Audience: Adult Day Care Providers
Format: Video, handouts, overheads
Dietary Guidelines for Americans
1996
This video introduces viewers to essential nutrition fundamentals based on official national guidelines. Topics include nutrition’s role across different ages, vegetarian diets, the “French paradox,” and the importance of grains, vegetables, and fruits. It comes with a comprehensive teaching resource package, complete with learning objectives, quizzes, and activity suggestions.
Audience: Upper Elementary, High School, Health Clinics, Parents, Adult Day Care
Format: 17-minute video
Eat More, Weigh Less: Dr. Dean Ornish’s Life Choice Program
1993
Dr. Dean Ornish’s program advocates for focusing on the types of food you eat rather than the amount. This book promotes a vegetarian diet rich in whole grains, legumes, fruits, and complex carbohydrates. With a wealth of medical facts and practical advice, it shows how this “Life Choice” program can lead to weight loss and overall well-being.
Audience: College Students, Nutritionists, Teachers, Adult Day Care, General Adult
Format: 425-page book
Eating on the Run: Nutritious Eating
1992
This easy-to-follow book provides practical information for health-conscious individuals with busy schedules. It covers eating out, frozen foods, grocery shopping, and includes simple recipes with calorie and fat breakdowns.
Audience: General Adult, Adult Day Care
Format: 214-page book
Eat Well, Stay Well with Parkinson’s Disease
1998
Written by Kathrynne Holden, this book addresses the unique nutritional needs of people with Parkinson’s disease. The goal is to prevent nutrition-related hospitalizations, optimize the effects of levodopa, and support independent living. The author offers practical guidance based on her extensive research and experience.
Audience: Adult Day Care Providers, Health Clinics, Nutritionists
Format: 161-page book
Enhancing Food Flavor with Herbs and Spices
1995
This video, part of the American Dietetic Association’s Nutrition Skills Series, encourages reducing sodium intake by using herbs and spices to enhance the flavor of meals. It provides practical tips for incorporating these ingredients into everyday recipes.
Audience: General Adult, Health Clinics, Adult Day Care
Format: 14-minute video
Fast Food Facts: Fitting Fast Food into a Healthy Lifestyle
1998
A must-have guide for those who frequently eat fast food, this book provides nutritional information on the top 40 fast food chains. It highlights how to make healthier choices even when dining on the go.
Audience: Nutritionists, General Adults, Adult Day Care, Teachers, Health Educators
Format: 243-page book
The Fast Food Guide
1991
An essential resource for anyone concerned with fast food nutrition, this guide details the nutritional content of menu items from major fast food chains. It helps readers make informed choices for themselves and their families.
Audience: Nutritionists, General Adult, Adult Day Care, Teachers, Health Educators
Format: 333-page book
Fitness and Conditioning: Benefits for a Lifetime
1991
This video outlines the long-term health benefits of exercise, such as reducing heart disease, hypertension, and obesity. It also emphasizes how fitness can improve quality of life. Interviews with athletes demonstrate conditioning principles without the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
Audience: High School/College, Physical Education Teachers, Adult Day Care, Health Clinics
Format: 22-minute video, teaching guide
FITness for 50 Forward
1998
This manual from the American Dietetic Association focuses on exercise programs for adults over 50. It details which exercises are most beneficial, including aerobic and balance training, to help maintain health and extend life expectancy.
Audience: Adult Day Care
Format: 65-page manual
Five A Day Bingo: A Fun Nutrition Game for All Ages
1995
Suitable for children and seniors, this interactive game encourages participants to eat more fruits and vegetables. It’s an enjoyable way to promote healthy eating habits and stimulate cognitive engagement.
Audience: Child Care, Adult Day Care, Elementary/Middle/High School, Health Clinics
Format: Game, 25-page activity book
Five A Day: The Produce Revolution
1995
Set in the year 2090, this engaging video follows a grandfather who takes his granddaughter on a virtual reality tour of a 20th-century supermarket. He teaches her about fruits, vegetables, and their health benefits while sharing shopping tips and produce history.
Audience: Middle School, High School, Adult Day Care
Format: 25-minute video, 20-page study guide
Food Allergies
1998
Part of the American Dietetic Association’s Nutrition Now Series, this book covers everything about food allergies, from diagnosis and management to prevention in children. It includes sample menu plans and allergy-free recipes for families dealing with food allergies.
Audience: General Adults, Adult Day Care, Health Clinics, High School/College, Parents
Format: 93-page book
Food and Fat
1993
This video simplifies the complex world of fats, including saturated, unsaturated, mono, and polyunsaturates. It teaches viewers how to calculate their daily fat intake and make healthier dietary choices.
Audience: Adult Day Care, High School, General Adult
Format: 28-minute video, teaching guide
Food-Borne Illnesses and Their Prevention
1996
This program highlights the importance of safe food-handling practices, covering everything from preventing cross-contamination to proper food storage temperatures. It also explores the causes, symptoms, and treatments of foodborne illnesses like Salmonella and E. coli.
Audience: Adult Day Care, Food Service Personnel, Health Clinics, Nutritionists, High School
Format: 30-minute video
Food Finder: Food Sources of Vitamins and Minerals
1990
A comprehensive reference that lists the nutrient content of various foods. Readers can look up specific vitamins and minerals and find a variety of food sources for each.
Audience: Adult Day Care, College, Nutritionists, Health Clinics, General Adult
Format: 244-page book
Food Folklore: Tales and Truths about What We Eat
1999
Part of the Nutrition Now Series, this book separates food myths from facts. It debunks common misconceptions while providing interesting food traditions and legends.
Audience: Adult Day Care, General Adults, Health Clinics, High School/College
Format: 94-page book
The Food Guide Pyramid: Contemporary Nutrition
1993
This video explains how the USDA Food Guide Pyramid can be used to make healthier dietary choices. It emphasizes the relationship between food groups and individual nutritional needs.
Audience: High School, General Adult, Adult Day Care
Format: 25-minute video, teacher’s guide
Food Labels: Staying Healthy Just Got Easier
1994
Viewers learn how to interpret food labels, including terms like “low-fat” and “free,” and understand what they really mean for their health.
Audience: High School, General Adult, Adult Day Care, Health Clinics
Format: 10-minute video
Food Models for General Audiences: Comparison Cards
1994
This set of life-size food models is ideal for teaching about the five food groups and helping students practice classifying foods. It includes nutrient information on the back of each card and offers activity ideas for educators.
Audience: Elementary/Middle School/High School, Adult Day Care, General Adults
Format: 185 food models, leader’s guide
Food Pyramid Bingo
1996
This fun game helps players of all ages learn about the Food Guide Pyramid and the placement of various foods within it. The game provides a dynamic and interactive approach to nutrition education.
Audience: Elementary, Child Care, Adult Day Care, Parents, Community
Format: 30 laminated cards, 95 picture squares, checking chart, instruction sheet
Food Safety
1996
This program demonstrates essential food safety procedures, including avoiding cross-contamination and proper food storage. It is a valuable resource for anyone involved in food preparation and storage, from home cooks to food service personnel.
Audience: High School, Food Service Personnel, Health Clinics, Adult Day Care, Nutritionists
Format: 30-minute video
Food Safety Video for Seniors
This educational video from Texas Women’s University provides essential food safety guidelines tailored for seniors. It covers proper food handling practices at home, including purchasing, storing, and preparing food safely. Additionally, it offers valuable tips for safe dining experiences when eating out.
Audience: Adult Day Care
Format: Video
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Photo Cards (1997)
This set includes 142 photo cards, each featuring an image of a fruit or vegetable along with its English and California-Mexican-Spanish name. On the back, you’ll find nutrient information presented in a bar graph, serving size recommendations, preparation tips, a map highlighting key production regions, and a symbol indicating which part of the plant is consumed. The cards also list common varieties of each fruit or vegetable.
Audience: Adult Day Care, Elementary/Middle/High School
Format: 142 Laminated Photo Cards