One of Australia’s most iconic culinary personalities is working hard to promote better nutrition outcomes in Australia’s aged care settings.
The Maggie Beer Foundation (MBF) has delivered a report to the Department of Health examining food, nutrition and the dining experience in aged care.
Prepared with the help of Deloitte and based on findings from the MBF’s National Congress, held in Sydney on February 18 and 19, the report has plenty of food for thought.
There are 56 findings and 139 possible action points in the report.
And interestingly, many of these align with the recommendations presented from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s Final Report.
Maggie says she hopes the report will highlight the important role food can play in improving key health and nutrition outcomes in aged care settings.
“We know the role of food in aged care is currently undervalued,” she says.
“Focusing on food and appetite and, in doing so, good nutrition, stimulates the sense, supports health and wellbeing, provides pleasure, conveys respect and care and acts as a facilitator for social interaction.”
The MBF was established in 2014 and has been advocating for improved food experiences for older Australians ever since. Maggie adds now is a great time to promote change in the area.
“There are so many people in aged care working so hard but often without the support or being empowered to do things better but when given the respect together with the skill, the practical ideas along with the inspiration, it is an incredibly powerful thing that we have seen individuals bring about amazing change,” she says.
Makes sense to us! What a great initiative.
