Meal Planning in Aged Care
Published: 29 April 2024
Published: 29 April 2024
Careful thought and creativity is as important to aged care menu planning as it is to the selection of our own daily meals - if not, more so, given the heightened health complications inherent with ageing.
When a person enters an aged care facility, their autonomy may have decreased significantly. One of the many choices an individual may mourn is the lack of choice in meal selection.
As aged care residents largely forfeit their say on the timing, duration, and environment of mealtimes, it only seems fair that they will want input into the type of meals they receive.
It is well known that food consumption and nutrition are closely linked to our overall quality of life. Studies have shown when residents have the agency to choose from a menu, levels of food service satisfaction rise by up to 30% (Abbey et al. 2015).
Increased independence in food choice and active participation in food planning have also been associated with a reduced risk of malnutrition (Abbey et al. 2015).
This article will provide broad nutritional advice for older people and outline methods of effective meal planning in aged care facilities.
Standard 6: Food and Nutrition under the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards recognises that access to nutritionally appropriate food is a basic human right and emphasises the importance of providing flavourful, appetising and nutritious meals (ACQSC 2024).
(ACQSC 2024)
For more information on meal planning under the strengthened Standards, see Ausmed’s Training Module on Standard 6: Food and Nutrition.
There is an alarming trend of malnutrition among older people living in aged care facilities (ACQSC 2023).
One study conducted by the British Journal of Nutrition, which looked into the nutrient content of meals in Australian aged care facilities, found that 68% of participants were either malnourished or had the potential to become malnourished (Rossi 2017).
Older people are known to be at a disproportionate risk of malnutrition (Rossi 2017). There are many reasons for this, including:
(TAS DoH 2020; Rossi 2017; Iuliano-Burns 2023)
(Iuliano-Burns 2023)
Feeding assistance is one method to curb malnutrition in older people. The level of assistance required by people will vary. Assistance can range from:
(Eat Well Nutrition 2014)
The style and manner of feeding assistance are important to get right. Staff must be trained to feed in a controlled manner, distractions should be minimised, altered utensils should be made available, and swallowing rehabilitation is to be encouraged if appropriate (Iuliano-Burns 2023).
Our dietary needs change as we age. It is important to know how much and what type of food a person should be eating in accordance with their age and gender.
Note: These recommended servings are for older adults aged over 65. For a comprehensive list of servings based on age and gender, see the National Health and Medical Research Council’s Australian Dietary Guidelines Summary.
Food group | Daily servings (males) | Daily servings (females) | Examples of one serving |
---|---|---|---|
Vegetables, legumes and beans Choose a variety of types and colours (e.g. green, orange, red, yellow, purple and white) |
5 | 5 |
|
Fruits |
2 | 2 |
|
Grains (mostly wholegrain and high-fibre) |
4½ | 3 |
|
Lean meats and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts and seeds |
2½ | 2 |
|
Dairy products or alternatives |
4 | 3½ |
|
(Better Health Channel 2017; NHMRC 2013)
(Abbey et al. 2015; CCLHD 2015; Better Health Channel 2017; Nutrition Australia 2021)
Increased intake of the following nutrients is recommended for older people. Keep these requirements in mind for all meal planning:
(Klemm 2023; Better Health Channel 2017)
We eat with our eyes first, which means that the visual appearance of a meal matters. Make sure to incorporate a wide variety of colours, textures, flavours, and types of food to keep things interesting in aged care meal planning (Comcater 2023).
While rotational meals are doubtless a more convenient option in aged care facilities, keep in mind the importance of meal variation on resident nutritional needs and meal enjoyment.
(Better Health Channel 2017; Pro Portion Foods 2018)
Some residents have specific meal requirements. When planning meals, always take into account the following:
(Metro South Health 2018)
Question 1 of 3
Why is it important to offer a variety of meal choices?