Aged Care Facilities

At Appetite for Nutrition, we provide specialized menu reviews for aged care facilities, ensuring that your meals are nutritious, balanced, and tailored to the specific needs of older adults. Our experienced dietitians work with your team to develop customized menus that support the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of your residents. Whether you need a comprehensive menu review, recipe development, or support with managing special dietary needs, we offer services tailored to meet your facility’s requirements.

Why Should Aged Care Facilities Consult with a Dietitian for Menu Development?

Nutrition plays a critical role in the overall health and quality of life of elderly residents. Aged care facilities have a unique responsibility to provide meals that support aging residents’ health needs. Consulting with a dietitian for menu development and menu reviews is essential for several reasons:

1. Meeting National Regulations and Standards

Aged care facilities must provide nutritious meals that cater to residents’ needs. The Aged Care Quality Standards require compliance in areas such as personal care, nutrition, and governance, where dietitians play a vital role. Dietitians help meet all 8 standards by:

• Ensuring food respects dignity (Standard 1)
• Contributing to care plans (Standard 2)
• Managing risks like malnutrition and dysphagia (Standard 3)
• Supporting independence (Standard 4)
• Enhancing the dining environment (Standard 5)
• Addressing feedback (Standard 6)
• Providing staff training (Standard 7)
• Aligning food services with governance (Standard 8)

Consulting a dietitian ensures your facility meets these standards, ensuring proper nutrition and compliance with regulations.

2. Nutrition & Health Statistics for Older Adults

Malnutrition is a significant issue in aged care. Up to 72% of residents in aged care facilities are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, making proper nutrition even more critical for older adults. Proper nutrition helps to:

• Prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.
• Support cognitive function, helping prevent conditions like dementia.
• Ensure adequate protein, vitamins, and minerals to maintain muscle mass, bone density, and immune health.

Consulting with a dietitian can help prevent these issues by ensuring your menu is balanced and meets the nutritional needs of older adults.

3. Support for Special Dietary Needs

Aged care residents often have specific dietary needs due to health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). A dietitian ensures your menu caters to these needs, providing safe and nutritious meals that meet the health requirements of all residents.

Our Menu Review & Development Services for Aged Care Facilities

At Appetite for Nutrition, we offer comprehensive menu services for aged care facilities to ensure that the meals served to your residents are both nutritious and tailored to their unique needs. Our services include:

1. Desktop Menu Review

This remote option offers a thorough review by an Accredited Practising Dietitian without an on-site visit. It includes:

• Nutritional assessment of your current menu

• Compliance check against Australian Dietary Guidelines and IDDSI standards

• Practical, cost-effective recommendations

• Updated menus

2. Menu & Mealtime Quality Assessment 

Developed by Dietitians Australia and conducted only by Accredited Practising Dietitians, this comprehensive onsite service assesses not just the menu—but the entire mealtime experience.

What’s involved:

• Onsite visit and observation of meal service

• Interviews with catering, nursing, and care staff

• Assessment of the menu’s nutritional value and suitability, including texture-modified diets.

• Observations of the meal service, food quality, and overall mealtime experience.

• Weighing of sample meal components and reviewing relevant documentation for compliance.

• Practical, tailored recommendations for improvement

Why it matters:
These assessments help identify areas for improvement in both food quality and resident experience. They are aligned with the Aged Care Quality Standards and help ensure:

• Improved nutritional care and identification of residents at risk of malnutrition or dehydration

• Better dining experiences—meals that are enjoyable, appetising, and culturally appropriate

• Compliance with national standards and preparation for audits or mandatory reviews

• Enhanced staff practices and nutrition governance

Why Choose Appetite for Nutrition for Your Aged Care Facility?

✔ Expert Dietitians – Our team has extensive experience in menu planning for aged care facilities, with a deep understanding of the nutritional needs of older adults.
✔ Tailored Solutions – We work closely with you to develop menus that meet the unique dietary needs of your residents while ensuring meals are enjoyable and culturally appropriate.
✔ Compliance & Quality – We ensure your facility meets all relevant aged care standards while offering high-quality, nutritious meals.
✔ Seasonal Menu Planning – We incorporate seasonal variations to keep meals fresh, diverse, and exciting year-round.
✔ Specialized Expertise – We are well-versed in catering to the dietary needs of residents with chronic health conditions and those requiring texture-modified diets.
✔ Government Funding Expertise – We can assist in integrating government funding and compliance requirements like the Home Care Packages and other programs.
✔ Onsite & Telehealth Services – We offer onsite visits in Victoria and Queensland and telehealth support nationwide.

Get in Touch

If you would like to improve your aged care facility’s menu or develop a new one, we’re here to help! Contact Appetite for Nutrition today to discuss your needs and receive a tailored quote for our services.