HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 73

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

Mimi Stewart

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO DIRECT THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE TO HEAR TESTIMONY ON AND REVIEW THE NEED FOR DIET AND NUTRITION RULES FOR SENIOR RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES.

     WHEREAS, senior citizens residing in residential care facilities are dependent on the facilities' care for their overall health; and

     WHEREAS, daily, we are informed of new discoveries regarding disease and its relation to diet and nutrition; and

     WHEREAS, diseases common to aging, such as diabetes and heart disease, have been demonstrated to be connected to diet and nutrition, and foods such as salt, sugar, certain carbohydrates and other dietary components have direct and predictable effects on certain people; and

     WHEREAS, dieticians, nutritionists and other health care professionals have the ability to assist clients and patients to avoid unnecessary consequences to their health from improper diets; and

     WHEREAS, seniors in residential care facilities are often too timid to object to menus that may be dangerous to their health; and

     WHEREAS, medical consequences result from improper diet at residential care facilities;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to direct the appropriate interim committee to hear testimony on and review the need for diet and nutrition rules for senior residential care facilities and to explore the potential for ombudsman services for aging residents in these facilities; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the appropriate committee report its findings and recommendations for legislation to the New Mexico legislative council by December 1, 2006; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council.

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