Our Dietetics team provides comprehensive Menu & mealtime assessment service, offering advice and guidance to ensure your facility is working towards the Strengthened Aged Care standards, when menu and mealtime assessments will be required annually.
Meet Aged Care Standard 6 with our Menu & Mealtime Assessment Service
What is different about the strengthened standard?
The strengthened standard puts a greater focus on the engagement of and partnership with residents in the design and delivery of food and drink. Its priority is to make sure food and drink is appealing and meets older people’s needs and preferences. Food, drink and the dining experience are important contributors to an older person’s quality of life. The standard seeks to ensure enjoyment, variety and informed input are demonstrated at mealtimes.
Residential aged care facilities will be expected to implement systems to monitor and continuously improve the food service, and provide a functional process by which residents can express their food and drink preferences and influence menu design and delivery.
Residential aged care facilities will be required to complete a menu and mealtime assessment annually, in order to meet the quality requirements of the new aged care standard.
What is involved in a menu and mealtime assessment?
An experienced Plena Dietitian will thoroughly review your menu documentation, the plated meals, the dining environment and nutrition and hydration procedures. They will look specifically at how detailed and specific your menu is, as well as how it delivers variety, nutritional balance and adheres to the aged care standards. You will receive a comprehensive report that includes assessment and recommendations.
The dietitian will conduct an onsite meal audit, where the following factors will be assessed;
- Meal/serving size
- Visual appeal
- Variety
- Alignment with the facility’s documented/planned menu
This on-site audit also provides an opportunity for the dietitian to review the mealtime experience, which considers the dining room environment, atmosphere, delivery of meals, staff interaction with residents, how assistance is provided to those who may need it, and time allocated for mealtimes. The dietitian can assess resident mealtime enjoyment and satisfaction, and provide recommendations, education and guidance on how the experience can be improved. We can also provide guidance regarding methods to engage residents and seek their feedback regarding mealtime experiences.
What are the outcomes and benefits of a menu and mealtime assessment?
- You will receive a comprehensive review of your menu and mealtime practices, with actionable recommendations.
- Plena dietitians can support you to implement recommendations and practices to ensure compliance with the strengthened aged care standard.
- Your mealtime practices will be optimised to prioritise resident enjoyment and satisfaction, which will in turn improve overall morale and preserve the dignity of dining.
- Food service staff will be empowered and equipped to deliver the highest standards of service and care to your residents.
- Food wastage will be minimised, realising financial benefit for your facility.
- You will have a robust and meaningful pathway for residents to express preferences and share feedback that will enable you to continuously improve your service delivery.