Australian Government continues big mission to improve food and nutrition in aged care

The Australian Government and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission are continuing the big mission to ensure all older Australians in aged care receive nutritious, safe and appetising food. 

The commission’s dedicated Food, Nutrition and Dining Unit Hotline gives older people, their families and carers, and aged care workers and providers an easy way to raise concerns, get advice or make a complaint about the food, nutrition and dining in aged care. 

Established by the Australian Government, the unit has expert dietitians and speech pathologists to provide advice, education and resources. 

The unit has undertaken 720 targeted assessments with residential services to ensure they are providing residents with tasty, nutritious meals and an enjoyable dining experience. 

Older people accessing aged care, their families and carers, providers and workers can call the Food, Nutrition and Dining Hotline on 1800 844 044.

The hotline’s work is just one way we’re reforming aged care to create a high-quality and accountable system that puts older people at the centre.

The Australian Government’s $5 million investment in the Maggie Beer Foundation is improving workforce capability, with opportunities to participate available for all cooks and chefs working in aged care homes. Find out more about the free training through the Maggie Beer Foundation. 

Our strengthened quality standards will include a dedicated food and nutrition standard, to ensure aged care residents receive food and drinks that are appetising and safe and meets their needs and preferences.

Over the next 2 years we will deliver up to 1,000 menu and mealtime reviews to help aged care providers meet the new Food and Nutrition Quality Standard. The reviews will be conducted by independent accredited practising dietitians.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells:

“We saw what a difference an improved food and dining experience can make in Maggie Beer’s Big Mission.  

“Maggie Beer is an incredible advocate, and I am grateful for her passion and expertise in helping us deliver the dining experience older people in aged care need and deserve. 

“But you don’t need to be a celebrity chef to improve food and nutrition in aged care – we have the tools you need to continue our big mission.

“Australians were shocked when the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety found that 68% of aged care residents were malnourished or at risk of malnourishment.

“The Food, Nutrition and Dining Unit Hotline’s work is another important tool in our mission to make sure older people have delicious and nourishing food that supports a high quality of life.”

Quotes attributable to Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner Janet Anderson PSM:

“The Food, Nutrition and Dining Unit and Hotline can help if you have questions about the food, nutrition or dining experience that you or someone you know is receiving from an aged care provider.”

“Aged care workers and providers can get advice and support from the Food, Nutrition and Dining Unit and Hotline to help them meet the needs and preferences of the people in their care.”

“It is everyone’s right to make choices about the foods and drinks they consume. In one example, staff at a service were supported by our Food Nutrition and Dining Unit and Hotline to help a resident make an informed choice about eating ‘normal’ food, after they were prescribed a soft food diet. With our help, the consumer was able to exercise their right to choose to eat and drink what they wanted, and the provider was able to support their choice while still providing quality, safe care.”