The Australian government has introduced a groundbreaking Aged Care bill that puts nutrition at the forefront of aged care. The legislation, which includes a new standard on food and nutrition quality, has been hailed as a significant step towards combating malnutrition in residential aged care facilities.
Tara Diversi, President of Dietitians Australia, praised the government’s initiative, stating, “We congratulate the Government for working together, and prioritising quality of life for older Australians, including a standard that will build the groundswell for transforming food and nutrition in aged care.”
The new Quality Standard 6 on Food and Nutrition mandates that residential aged care providers collaborate with older people, chefs, cooks, and accredited practicing dietitians in menu design. Additionally, the standard requires annual review of menus and mealtime experiences by a dietitian.
Magriet Raxworthy, Chief Executive Officer of Dietitians Australia, emphasised the readiness of dietitians to support the aged care sector in meeting these new standards. “Dietitians are ready and able to work closely with you, your community, and your teams, to ensure the meals, snacks and drinks on offer to older people meet their preferences and unique nutrition needs,” she said.
The legislation addresses a long-standing issue in Australian aged care. “The rate of malnutrition and unplanned weight loss in Australian residential aged care has been unacceptable for decades,” Diversi noted. “We are hopeful we are closer to making malnutrition in Australian aged care history.”
This new bill represents a significant shift in aged care policy, placing greater emphasis on the nutritional well-being of residents. It not only aims to improve the physical health of older Australians but also seeks to enhance their overall quality of life by ensuring enjoyable mealtime experiences.
As the bill moves through Parliament, aged care providers are being encouraged to prepare for these new standards. The legislation promises to usher in a new era of care where, as Raxworthy puts it, “residential aged care in Australia is a place where older people are well nourished and experience joy at every mealtime.”
