Have you ever wondered what a geriatric dietitian is? Maybe you’ve seen titles like nutritionist, registered dietitian, or Board Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition and weren’t sure what they all mean.
In Episode 11 of The Geriatric Dietitian Podcast, I answer one of the questions I get asked most often: What exactly is a geriatric dietitian?
I explain the education, training, and credentials behind becoming a registered dietitian, how that differs from someone calling themselves a nutritionist, and why working with someone who specializes in older adult nutrition can make a meaningful difference.
In This Episode
During this episode, we discuss:
- The difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist
- Why “nutritionist” doesn’t always mean someone has formal nutrition training
- The education and supervised practice required to become a registered dietitian
- Why nutrition is much more than simply eating healthy foods
- What makes someone a geriatric dietitian
- What the Board Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition (CSG) credential means
- How geriatric dietitians help older adults maintain strength, health, and independence
Dietitian vs. Nutritionist
One of the biggest points of confusion is the difference between a registered dietitian and a nutritionist.
As I explain in the episode, the title nutritionist is not regulated in many states. Depending on where someone lives, almost anyone may be able to call themselves a nutritionist regardless of their education or training.
A registered dietitian (RD or RDN), however, has completed accredited education, supervised clinical practice, a national registration examination, and continuing professional education throughout their career.
That’s why you can feel confident that registered dietitians are providing evidence-based nutrition recommendations.
What Does It Take to Become a Registered Dietitian?
Many people don’t realize just how much education dietitians complete.
In this episode, I share my own journey, including earning both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nutrition, completing over 1,200 hours of supervised dietetic internship training, passing the national registration examination, and maintaining my credentials through continuing education every five years.
Nutrition is a science, and dietitians are trained to understand how food, nutrients, medical conditions, and medications all work together to support health.
What Is a Geriatric Dietitian?
A geriatric dietitian is simply a registered dietitian who specializes in caring for older adults.
While every registered dietitian learns nutrition across the entire lifespan, many choose to focus on a specific area of practice. My specialty is helping older adults navigate the unique nutrition challenges that come with aging.
These may include:
- Muscle loss
- Unintentional weight loss
- Poor appetite
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Dementia
- Frailty
- Multiple chronic health conditions
- Medication interactions
Nutrition recommendations often change as we age, which is why specialized knowledge can be so valuable.
What Is a Board Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition?
I also explain one of my additional credentials: Board Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition (CSG).
This specialty certification requires dietitians to have years of experience working with older adults, complete at least 2,000 hours of gerontological nutrition practice, and pass a specialty board examination.
It’s one more way dietitians can demonstrate advanced expertise in caring for the nutrition needs of older adults.
How Can a Geriatric Dietitian Help?
Geriatric dietitians work with older adults on many different nutrition concerns, including:
- Malnutrition
- Low appetite
- Protein needs
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Heart disease
- Dementia nutrition
- Swallowing difficulties
- Tube feeding
- Meal planning
- Maintaining strength and independence
Because every older adult is different, nutrition recommendations should always be individualized.
My Passion for Geriatric Nutrition
Toward the end of the episode, I share a little about how I found my way into geriatric nutrition.
I originally thought I’d become a pediatric dietitian, but during my internship at the Department of Veterans Affairs, I discovered my passion for working with older adults. Since then, I’ve dedicated my career to helping older adults stay healthier, stronger, and more independent through good nutrition.
That’s also why I created The Geriatric Dietitian website and this podcast: to make evidence-based nutrition information easier to access for older adults, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
Listen to Episode 11
You can listen to the full episode of The Geriatric Dietitian Podcast above or on your favorite podcast platform.
Grab your free healthy aging resource here:
https://thegeriatricdietitian.myflodesk.com/