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Participant two used the exchange to explore how mealtimes could better support resident choice, nutrition, dignity and cultural safety.
They reported that some residents were losing weight, some were not enjoying their meals and food wastage was high. The organisation wanted the whole dining experience to be more positive, engaging, culturally appropriate and person-centred.
A planned kitchen and dining space upgrade created an opportunity to review food safety, menu delivery, systems and the dining environment.
The exchange explored how other services support enjoyable and nutritious mealtimes. Areas of interest included menu planning, food presentation, dining room setup, resident engagement, food safety and reducing food waste.
The participant described mealtimes as a whole-of-service responsibility. The dining environment, resident choice, cultural preferences, nutrition, presentation, staff engagement and safety systems all matter.
The exchange also highlighted the need to connect resident feedback and clinical information with kitchen and care practice. This includes monitoring food waste, weight changes, nutrition risk and resident satisfaction.
The participant identified possible changes across the dining environment, systems and teamwork:
The participant proposed looking for greater resident satisfaction, less food waste and better support for residents at nutrition risk. Other signs included improved feedback, stronger documentation, safer food handling and more person-centred and culturally appropriate mealtime practice.
Learn from practice, then adapt locally
The participant valued seeing another service in action. The report also stressed that ideas need to be practical, affordable and suited to the services residents, staff, facilities, culture and local ways of life.
This webpage by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission shows how culturally inclusive mealtimes support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights to identity, dignity and choice in aged care. It highlights food and dining as everyday opportunities to uphold cultural safety and respect.
This review by Lee and the Australian Indigenous Healthinfonet describes the nutrition issues within the Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander communties in Australia.