Beyond Meals: The Future of Proactive Nutrition in Aged Care
The aged care landscape is shifting. Although recent focus on meal quality – spurred by initiatives like Maggie Beer’s reforms – is a positive step, a deeper, more systemic approach to nutrition is needed. As Andrew Martin, founder of Eat Well Health, argues, the real failures in aged care nutrition aren’t about a lack of awareness, but a lack of consistent follow-through. The future isn’t just what seniors eat, but how we ensure they’re adequately nourished, proactively and consistently.
The Workflow Problem: Why Good Intentions Fall Short
Currently, identifying nutritional risk often gets stuck in a cycle of concern without action. Concerns like weight loss, reduced appetite, or difficulty chewing are noted, but aren’t consistently captured. Escalation to dietitians can be gradual and dependent on location and capacity. Staff may lack clarity on required documentation, and even with recommendations, accessing appropriate nutrition support can be cumbersome. This isn’t a clinical failing, but a breakdown in the operating model.
This fragmented approach is particularly problematic under the Support at Home program, where meal services are fundable, but often represent only a partial solution. Declining intake can occur even with meals readily available due to factors like illness, fatigue, or swallowing difficulties.
A Systems-Based Solution: Streamlining Nutrition Pathways
The providers who excel in nutrition care treat it like any other risk domain: early identification, clear escalation, documented plans, and straightforward access to support. This requires a shift from reactive responses to proactive workflows. Eat Well Health has built a model around this principle, offering online screening, dietitian recommendations, and streamlined access to nutrition support.
Pro Tip: Consistency is key. Implement regular, scheduled nutrition screenings – not just when a problem is obvious.
Three Pillars of a Workable Nutrition Model
A successful nutrition model hinges on three core elements:
1. Consistent Online Screening
Regular screening, triggered by onboarding, scheduled reviews, or observed changes in appetite or weight, is crucial. Online assessments, like those informed by the MNA-SF framework, offer repeatability and accessibility for staff, clients, and carers. The value isn’t the screen itself, but the consistent data it provides.
2. Accessible Dietitian Recommendations
A clear pathway to a documented, actionable dietitian recommendation is essential. This could involve an in-house team or telehealth services, but the output should be standardized and easily integrated into care plans. Care teams shouldn’t be left to interpret vague instructions.
3. A Holistic View of Nutrition Support
Nutrition support extends beyond meals. A comprehensive plan might include food-first strategies like fortification and snack structuring, as well as oral nutrition supplements when appropriate, as part of a dietitian-led plan. When provided within a documented intervention and billed correctly, these supplements can often be provided without participant contribution.
The Role of Technology and Telehealth
Technology will play an increasingly key role in scaling effective nutrition care. Telehealth dietitians can provide surge capacity and standardized recommendations, while online screening tools can automate data collection and identify at-risk individuals. This is particularly important in addressing geographic disparities in access to specialized care.
Did you know? Nutrition support, when part of a dietitian-led plan, can often be provided with no participant contribution under certain funding models.
Future Trends: Personalization and Predictive Analytics
Looking ahead, the future of aged care nutrition will likely be characterized by:
- Personalized Nutrition Plans: Moving beyond generic recommendations to tailor plans based on individual needs, preferences, and health conditions.
- Predictive Analytics: Using data to identify individuals at high risk of malnutrition before they experience significant decline.
- Remote Monitoring: Utilizing wearable sensors and remote monitoring technologies to track food intake, weight, and other key indicators.
- Integration with Smart Home Technology: Leveraging smart home devices to assist with meal preparation, medication reminders, and other nutrition-related tasks.
What Providers Can Do Now
Implementing meaningful change doesn’t require a complete overhaul. Providers can start by:
- Standardizing nutrition screening at onboarding and scheduled reviews.
- Defining a clear escalation pathway to dietitians and standardizing recommendation templates.
- Expanding the definition of “nutrition support” beyond meals.
By operationalizing a simple, documented workflow, providers can bridge the gap between concern and action, improving outcomes and building a stronger evidence base for consistent practice.
FAQ
Q: What is the MNA-SF framework?
A: The MNA-SF (Mini Nutritional Assessment – Short Form) is a validated tool used to screen for malnutrition risk in older adults.
Q: What are oral nutrition supplements?
A: These are concentrated sources of calories and nutrients designed to supplement dietary intake when food alone isn’t sufficient.
Q: How can technology help with nutrition screening?
A: Online screening tools can automate data collection, identify at-risk individuals, and provide consistent assessments.
Q: Is dietitian support always necessary?
A: While not always required, dietitian involvement is crucial for developing personalized nutrition plans and addressing complex needs.
What are your thoughts on improving nutrition in aged care? Share your experiences and ideas in the comments below!
