Setting the Scene at Mealtimes

Seniors entering residential aged care may be faced with changes in their mealtime regime – the timing, the location or even the actual meal itself. Studies have shown that eating well is linked to quality of life and when residents are able to choose from a menu, satisfaction with food service increases¹.  This is crucial when alarming trends of malnutrition in aged care facilities have been reported². Reasons for this can include issues with chewing, swallowing, inflammation, physical dependency^2,3. 

The environment has a role to play too⁴. Meal planning is directly connected with Aged Care Quality Standard 4⁵.

There are ways that you can improve nutrition and intake in the elderly:
1. Dietary approaches which may include food fortification and supplements as needed³.
2. Enhance the physical environment with particular attention to increasing lighting and reducing noise⁴.
3. Provision of assistance which may include prompts, appropriate set up through to full support⁶.
4. Awareness of foods to avoid and foods to embrace^2,7.
5. Presentation of food to increase visual appeal⁸.

See below for some of the amazing mealtime area transformations that we have recently completed:

Images Courtesy of Regis

If you want to know more about your resident’s perceptions of their mealtime experiences, click here to access Research Institute for Ageing’s short 14 question tool to help you understand residents’ satisfaction and identify possible opportunity areas.

References

1.       Abbey, K.L., Wright, O.R., and Capra, S. (2015). Menu planning in residential aged care-The level of choice and quality of planning of meals available to residents. Nutrients, 7(9), pages

2.       Rossi, A. (2017). Older People at Disproportionate risk of Malnutrition, Aged Care Guide.  Retrieved from https://www.agedcareguide.com.au/talking-aged-care/older-people-are-often-at-disproportionate-risk-of-malnutrition

3.       Iuliano-Burns, S. (2019) Malnutrition in the Older Adult, Ausmed.  Retrieved from https://www.ausmed.com/cpd/courses/older-malnutrition.

4.       McDaniel, J., Hunt, A., Hackes, B. and Pope, J.F. (2001).  Impact of dining room environment on nutritional intake of Alzheimer’s residents: A case study. American Journal of Alzheimer s Disease and Other Dementias, 16(5), 297-302.  Doi: 10.1177/153331750101600508

5.       Aged Care Quality Guidelines: https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/providers/standards.

6.       Research Institute for Ageing. (2013). Mealtime Satisfaction Questionnaire. Retrieved from https://the-ria.ca/resources/mealtime-satisfaction-questionnaire/

7.       Eat Well Nutrition 2014, Educational Video 4: Feeding Assistance,  online video.  Retrieved from  https://www.eatwellnutrition.com.au/2014/09/10/educational-video-4-feeding-assistance/.

8.       Better Health Channel (2017). Nutrition Needs When You’re Over 65. Retrieved from https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/Nutrition-needs-when-youre-over-65

9.       Leading Nutrition (2017) What Makes a Great Aged Care Menu. Retrieved from https://www.leadingnutrition.com.au/makes-great-aged-care-menu/