Independence is important to everyone, including people living in residential aged care. Being independent improves a person’s quality of life.
As we age, we aim to stay independent by doing everyday tasks. These tasks may include planning and preparing meals and enjoying meals with others.
Tips for supporting independence at mealtimes
Know your residents’ interests
Use residents’ interests to get them involved in mealtimes. For example, residents who liked dinner parties may enjoy being a mealtime host. Invite them to greet and seat residents in the dining room or help to set the tables.
Make sure staff have the knowledge and skills to support independence
Staff should know and be able to recognise when residents need assistance with eating and drinking to support independence and dignity. Involve health professionals, such as occupational therapists, in staff training and education.
Always make food and drinks available
Make sure residents can access food or drinks that they like and that suit their needs at any time of day or night. This supports independence as residents don’t need to rely on someone else when they’re hungry or thirsty outside of mealtimes. Some services have 24/7 snack menus or snack bars in shared spaces for residents.
Ask residents what they like about mealtimes and what they’d change
Ask residents what they think of the dining experience, the menus and the meals. You can get this feedback in many ways. For example, set up a food focus group, ask residents to taste test new dishes, and invite them to share their own recipes.
Involve residents in preparing meals
Food connects people and is a way to share interests. Many residents have cooked for most of their lives. Encourage them to share their skills, recipes and ideas. Set up a cooking club so residents can be involved in preparing meals. Involve other health professionals, such as occupational therapists, physiotherapists, dietitians and speech pathologists, to make sure mealtimes are suited to the needs of each resident.
Many services have introduced a buffet style breakfast to encourage independence at meals, where residents choose and are supported to serve themselves.
Another service encourages residents to share their culture and skills through food. Residents help prepare dishes that mean something to them. Recent examples include Nepalese dumplings and tiramisu.
There are many ways to encourage and maintain independence through the mealtime experience within aged care services. No matter our age, we all have skills to bring to the table!
To speak to an advisor, call the Food, Nutrition and Dining Hotline 1800 844 044
Further information on meal planning from Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission:
- Goal planning tool – a planning document for providers to improve food, dining, nutrition, and consumer choice
- Food and dining preferences fact sheet – a planning sheet for recording a resident’s preferences around food and dining
- Improving mealtimes for people in aged care: The role of occupational therapy | Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
- A voice and a choice: Enhancing resident food and dining experiences | Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
