Ensuring good nutrition in aged care is so much more than providing great food, writes Ngaire Hobbins.

malnutrition
Ensuring good nutrition in aged care is so much more than providing great food, writes Ngaire Hobbins.
Lack of funding and a “silo” mentality means dietitians are being under-utilised in residential aged care where they could play an important role in improving residents’ nutrition and dining experiences, a researcher says.
Aged care facilities should aim to offer flexible dining options and special days, such as barbecues, themed or cultural meals and birthday gatherings, as much as possible, says a leading aged care dietitian.
Malnutrition remains a worrying problem in residential aged care, but a research project is trialling the use of a new model of care to tackle the issue, writes Liz Purcell.
Building on her first book Eat to Cheat Ageing, dietitian Ngaire Hobbins combines the complex science of brain health with practical nutrition advice in companion book Eat to Cheat Dementia.
Alzheimer’s Australia NSW has called for national nutrition guidelines to be developed for meal delivery services funded under the Commonwealth Home Support Program and targeted training of home care workers to support the early identification of malnutrition among older people with dementia.
AUDIO: Aged care workers need to educate their clients that the nutritional needs of an ageing body are the same as a younger person, and in fact seniors need greater quantities of protein and some other nutrients.
Aged care providers, allied health professionals, researchers and trainers are gearing up to discuss the challenges around meeting new wellness requirements at the Active Ageing Conference next week.
With up to 30 per cent of seniors living at home at risk of malnutrition, community care staff must encourage clients to eat properly in order to prevent falls and unnecessary hospitalisations, an expert will tell the upcoming Active Ageing Conference.
It is essential that community care workers are aware of the signs of malnutrition and that they deliver positive food messages to their clients, writes Ngaire Hobbins.
Aged care residents on average consume just one serve of dairy per day, falling well short of the recommended four serves, according to a study that has identified the need for education of food service staff.
A shocking Lateline investigation into quality care and staffing concerns in residential aged care has dominated social media, radio and TV broadcasts for the past 24 hours. AAA reports on wide-ranging reaction to the latest media storm.
Meals on Wheels has called on the federal government to reconsider its decision to say no to funding a study which aims to pin down a possible nutritional solution for older adults.