Food spend in residential aged care is improving, with the second Food and Nutrition Report 2021-2022 showing that three quarters of providers are now spending more than $10 on food per resident per day.
The report reveals that, in the six months to 30 June 2022, aged care services spending more than $10 per person per day on food and ingredients alone rose to 75%, up from 67% in the six months to 31 December 2021. Only 1% reported spending less than $6 per resident per day, down from 2% in the previous six months.
Tom Symondson (pictured), CEO of Aged & Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA), says the report shows the “majority of residential aged care providers are doing the right thing” on food.
“Innovations noted by the report include a greater use of kitchen gardens in aged care homes and a greater use of digital technology to support meal choice and on measuring mealtime experiences.
“Too often food in aged care gets a bad rap – unfairly so. Food and nutrition is a complex area for older people in residential care who will have different needs based on their health, personal preferences, and cultural background,” he said.
Food spend in aged care recently came under fresh scrutiny following reports presented to Senate Estimates by Senator Anne Ruston showing that more than 1,500 providers spent less than $10 per person per day on food, or did not answer ACQSC questions on the subject, in the last six months of 2021.
