Sarcopenia: Age-Related Muscle Loss, Explained Simply As we get older, it’s normal for our bodies to change. One of the most important – and often overlooked – changes is the gradual loss of muscle. This condition is called sarcopenia, and it can have a big impact on strength, mobility, independence and quality of life for...
In Aged Care we often see BMI (Body Mass Index) used as a quick health check. However, BMI alone can be misleading in older adults. Research shows the “healthy” BMI range for older adults is higher compared with younger people. Not the Whole Picture The lowest risk of death in older adults is at a...
With the release of the Strengthened Aged Care standards there is a heightened focus on protein intake within aged care settings. The legislation now mandates alignment with the Dietitians Australia Menu and Mealtime Quality Assessment Tool, which is the nationally recognised standard for evaluating menus in residential aged care. One of the key principles of the updated standards...
This article follows on from our recent article on the “Food First Approach” to optimising nutrition. Some residents are not able to meet their nutritional requirements with food alone and require nutrition supplements. As the term suggests, nutritional supplements are used to ‘supplement’ the diet, not to replace it. Supplements are most effective when they...
Partnering with older people on Food and Nutrition Strengthened Aged Care Standard 6.1 focuses on working with your residents and in doing so also making continuous improvements to the food service. As everyone works towards being compliant with the long awaited Strengthened Aged Care Standards, now is a good time to start thinking about how...
Is your aged care facility ready for the malnutrition screening Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards? Do you currently screen your residents using a validated malnutrition screening tool or have systems in place for this? Standard 5.5.5 of the new Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards The provider implements processes to maintain an older person’s nutrition and...
As part of the new incoming Standard 6, aged care menus will need to be assessed annually by an Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD) using the recommended Dietitian Australia aged care menu review tool, currently known as the Menu and Mealtime Quality Assessment tool. This tool currently covers nutrition related matters in line with the Standards...
Delirium is characterised by fluctuating changes in cognitive function and occurs most often in older adults. When a person has delirium, they may be confused, agitated or even quiet and drowsy. Delirium is often caused by a number of factors including infection, constipation, dehydration, malnutrition, pain and medication changes. Delirium is often distressing for the...
Our portion audits and aged care menu reviews, show that the daily food group that most often comes up as lacking is dairy. Most of us know about the 5 core food groups and how we should be consuming a certain number of serves from each food group for good health. The results of our...
A ‘food first’ approach to optimise nutrition and prevent unintentional weight loss or malnutrition is deemed best practice within the aged care sector. Good nutrition becomes increasingly important as people age. To meet these nutritional requirements, residents are encouraged to eat small regular meals frequently throughout the day. Foods and drinks should be ‘nutrient dense’...
