A Snapshot of Food Service in Aged Care Homes Under the New Standards

Background: Aged Care in Australia is undergoing a culture change with new, consumer-driven standards effective July 2019 which not only highlight the role of food quantity and quality in ensuring residents receive adequate nutrition and hydration but, for the first time, now also discuss the importance of resident choice, autonomy and dignity.

Aim: To understand perceptions of residents living in Residential Aged Care Homes (RACHs) in South Australia in comparison to the food service domain of the new Aged Care Quality Standards (ACQS).
Methods: Between April and November 2019, residents (n=387) of South Australian RACHs (n=19) were asked about various aspects of the food service provided to them. Responses were mapped against examples of actions of evidence and reflective questions provided in Section 4f of the ACQS.

Results: Although many residents felt that they always had adequate choice (66.4%) and variety (44.2%), fewer felt that meals were tasty (25.1%) or appetising (28.4%). One third (33.3%) thought their food preferences were always met but few (2.6%) felt they had flexibility around meal timing. Less than half (48.8%) felt their feedback or suggestions would always be listened to.

Conclusion: Based on resident perspectives gathered, many RACHs do not meet the core expectations of the ACQS. As the accreditation process now begins with resident interviews to discuss their areas for concern, this snapshot highlights some key areas for improvement within the residential aged care food service system. Targeted research can assist homes to develop and institute changes within their resources.