Established in the Spring 2001, The Long Term Care Institute was created in an effort to establish a focused program of work in the area of nutrition care in long term care facilities. The initial demonstration project, Reducing Malnutrition and Dehydration in Nursing Homes, was funded by a grant from the Health Care Financing Administration, now the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The overall benefits to be derived from the Institute are improvements in the health and quality of life of nursing home residents. Recognition by the long term care network that nutrition adds years to life and health to later years should result in a greater commitment to improving the nutritional well-being of residents. Principle contact: Victoria H Castellanos, PhD, RD, Director of the Long Term Care Institute, and Assistant Professor.