How to create sustainable nutrition practices in your aged care practice
Flavour Creations
For over 27 years Flavour Creations has manufactured innovative products dedicated to enhancing the quality of life.
Did you know that only half of residents in aged care are well-nourished (50.5%)??1?
In fact, 43.1% of those surveyed were moderately malnourished and 6.4% were severely malnourished. Further, only 17.8% had been reviewed by a dietician in the past 6 months. Malnutrition was noted to be significantly higher for residents aged 90 years or older or receiving higher-level care. ?
It’s a fact that optimal nutrition in aged care is a vital component for ensuring the well-being and health in elderly patients. In fact, even those who have changing dietary requirements still need access to nutrients that enable them to live life to the fullest.
The hard truth about the current state of nutrition in aged care is clear - our elderly community is at risk. ?
In the past, The World Health Organization (WHO) noted that malnutrition is one of six contributing factors that lead to declining physical and mental capacity in older people.??? Further, representatives from the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) who appeared before the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety made it clear that all aspects of nutrition need to be improved following “reports of inadequate daily allowances and quality of food” being delivered to elderly care residents.???
So, what can aged care facilities do to ensure their business food practices are more sustainable?
In this article we provide insight into sustainable nutrition, why it’s important and how it can be achieved in a practical, cost-effective manner.
Understanding sustainable nutrition
Adopting environmentally sustainable food systems in Australian healthcare and aged care settings as well as “meeting nutritional requirements” is now, more than ever, of critical importance.?2?
So, what does sustainable nutrition mean? Simply put, it is a practice that brings together production and delivery in a way that considers people, the planet and society.?3? Therefore, it is not a case of one or the other: it is an interwoven approach that considers every aspect.
From just a food source perspective, the food systems that we choose for elderly care need to deliver adequate energy and essential nutrients to ensure health without negatively impacting the nutritional needs of future generations.?3?
What are the four pillars of sustainable nutrition?
The four dimensions of sustainable nutrition can be defined as health/nutrition, economic, environmental and social/cultural.?3?
Seen through the lens of aged care sustainable nutrition, these pillars can be further defined as nutrition that is adequate, accessible, fair and affordable, while having a low environmental impact and being accepted by communities.
For those businesses working in aged care, this also means being aware of providing elderly residents with food sources that will allow them to better monitor sodium and sugar consumption, as well as introduce more quality proteins, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
Sugar consumption especially needs to be monitored, as dental care is of the utmost importance when it comes to the elderly who often suffer from severe oral diseases.?1??
One factor that must never be overlooked when it comes to sustainable nutrition is that of adequate hydration.??? Drinking enough water per day (around 1.5L) can help older persons fight diseases and help them to be better equipped to absorb nutrients that can be effectively transported through the body.
The reason why water intake is so important to monitor, is that elderly people often can become dehydrated and suffer from a decrease in kidney functions. Therefore, ensuring that elderly people in your care get enough hydration (including from sources such as fruits and vegetables) is important if you want to maintain sustainable nutrition that works.
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Is sustainable nutrition feasible from a business perspective in aged care?
It is no secret that sustainable nutrition for the elderly is not just an important care consideration, but also one that is closely linked to global trends.
Highlighted by Minitel in an Elderly Nutrition Market report in 2018, the global elderly nutrition industry is forecasted to grow 6.39% annually until 2026.???
This report named two important factors:
Aged care certainly comes with cost considerations, not just for daily care but also where food resources are concerned. And with about 68% of Australians receiving aged care noted as “malnourished or at risk of malnutrition”, it is important for providers to ensure that they champion sustainable nutrition as part of their business operations???.
But is this truly feasible?
For those businesses that are willing to step up their leadership roles, it is without a doubt doable.
According to Professor Judi Porter, a Professor in Dietetics with IPAN and Fellow of Dieticians Australia, “hospitals and aged care facilities can, and should, be leaders in considering sustainability right across the food supply chain.”??? Porter also notes that key areas that need to be enforced include education and expertise – certainly aspects that will allow the staff of healthcare providers to take ownership of best practices.
Although sustainable nutrition might be seen as more expensive to uphold, businesses can apply tactics that will ensure they achieve efficiency. Looking at aspects such as reusing, recycling and having a sustainability strategy can ensure that they stay on track to achieve sustainability goals.???
It is truly this strategy that can help providers to lower their expenses and overhead costs.
Some considerations for a solid sustainability strategy include choosing sustainable suppliers – such as Flavour Creations, who champion ethical procurement, have waste and recycling protocols in place and are dedicated to water and energy conservation.
Also, investigating available Government grants??? such as subsidies and supplements, capital grants for residential aged care and program funding can assist with and lower costs.
Make a difference with a shift towards sustainable nutrition
Choosing sustainable options in aged care nutrition is both practical and achievable. By creating a sustainability strategy where needs of residents and aged care business operations come together, we can better serve the planet, each other and the at-risk population in aged care facilities. ?
To see how we can help your business to reach your sustainable nutrition goals, get in touch with us a Flavours Creations?product expert today at FlavourCreations.com.au.
Medical information on FlavourCreations.com.au is merely informational and is not the advice of a medical practitioner. This information is general in nature and was accurate at the time of publication. For more information about nutrition and your individual needs, see a GP or an Accredited Practising Dietician.
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