Food, nutrition and the Quality Standards

A full three-meal-a-day program consisting of at least 30g of protein and snacks in between has been outlined as best practice by dietitians in the aged care space, but residents don’t always receive the right amount of nutrition they require in every meal. 

There are a number of factors that impact nutrition in aged care: the rushed nature of mealtime where residents may not enjoy eating and skip meals, and staff may need to be made aware of the signs of malnutrition.

The Final Report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety expressed the importance of adequate portioning and good quality food for older people, which is why they are outlined in an official requirement in the Aged Care Quality Standards.

Food safety programs are a must

Standard 3.3.1 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code outlines the responsibilities for aged care providers when processing or serving food to vulnerable populations such as older people or those living with a disability. 

Aged care providers are required to have a food safety program that complies with the Code which is a written document indicating how you will control the food safety hazards associated with food handling activities. This sets out your specific food handling controls related to the receipt, storage, processing, display, packaging, transportation, disposal and recall of food. 

The Code also outlines other requirements related to the skills and knowledge of food handlers and their supervisors, the health and hygiene of food handlers, and the cleaning, sanitising and maintenance of the food premises and equipment within the premises.

Nutrition can have a significant impact on the quality of life for your clients. Linked to so many health conditions and general wellbeing, investing resources and focus on ensuring clients are provided with adequate food and nutrition can be a vital key in improving the aged care sector and making you a Provider of Choice.

The New Aged Care Quality Standards – What is required?

The Aged Care Quality Standards are currently under review to strengthen the standards around food, nutrition and delivery but Standard 4 has outlined the importance of appropriate food since they were put into play in 2019.

The Standards define what good care should look like and all Government-funded aged care providers are required to comply with the Quality Standards, as suggested by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. 

It outlines requirements for providers around services and supports for daily living in residential aged care who must ensure their residents’ meals are “varied” and “of suitable quality and quantity”.

In order to be compliant with Standard 4 of the Quality Standards, providers must prove they: 

• Understand the requirement
• Apply the requirement, and this is clear in the way they provide care and services
• Monitor how they are applying the requirement and the outcomes they achieve
• Review outcomes and adjust their practices based on these reviews to keep improving

Nutrition can significantly impact the quality of life for your clients as it is linked to so many health conditions and general well-being. Investing resources and focusing on ensuring clients are provided with adequate food and nutrition can be a vital key in improving the aged care sector and making you a Provider of Choice.