On any given day, Lian Carroll samples the food being served in Sienna’s long-term care (LTC) communities, making sure new signature dishes and texture modified foods have the right balance of superior taste and optimal nutritional quality. It is her belief in the transformative power of food that drives her work.
"I love my job! I started my career working in an acute care setting, but recognized early on that as a result of the growing aging population in Canada, the long term care sector was an area of opportunity" says Lian.
Embracing LTC's unique challenges and opportunities, she quickly found her calling. Falling in love with the sector's capacity to offer a "home vibe" as well as the ability to get to know each resident and make a meaningful impact to their quality of life.
“In LTC working with the residents allows you to implement nutrition interventions and see the positive outcomes,” says Lian.
Her innovative approaches to menu planning, collaboration with the culinary teams, and her dedication to personalized care have significantly improved residents' lives. Lian has witnessed residents thrive with proper nutrition; they are healthier and happier as a result of the collaboration between the nursing and the dietary team. In one case, a resident had their feeding tube removed and she witnessed them start eating food on their own again.
Her passion for her work led to Lian being recognized this year with the Marie Taylor Award, a
prestigious honour from the Gerontology Network of Dietitians of Canada. This award celebrates excellence in seniors' nutrition and dietetic practice in long-term care. The award is named after Canadian dietitian Marie Taylor and her legacy as a visionary champion for the dietetic profession and an advocate for the rights and well-being of older adults. Receiving this award places Lian among the top professionals who embody Marie Taylor's vision, showcasing her commitment to enhancing the quality of life for seniors through exceptional nutrition care.
“Receiving the Marie Taylor Award is exciting and inspires me to push for even bigger changes to strengthen how we care for seniors,” says Lian. "In addition to food, the dining experience is an extension of good nutrition, and we are doing a lot of great work to create the right environment for residents to enjoy their meals and have a pleasurable experience."
Lian's commitment to nutrition care in LTC propelled her into roles that have span clinical practice, management, and national leadership. As the Nutrition Care Partner for Sienna Senior Living, she now leads efforts across Ontario and BC, focusing on setting industry standards, developing new programs, and fostering professional growth among dieticians.
