Free training to improve food and nutrition in aged care

The federal government is investing $5 million in the Maggie Beer Foundation to deliver a free training program for aged care cooks and chefs.

Launched at Eldercare Seaford, an aged care facility in Seaford, South Australia, the three-year program features online learning modules, a food satisfaction questionnaire, state and territory training hubs, a trainer mentor program and a professional community.

The program is also expected to help residential aged care homes meet the draft dedicated food and nutrition Aged Care Quality Standard currently being piloted.

Aged Care Minister Anika Wells said, “Food, nutrition and the dining experience have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life and that’s why we have partnered with The Maggie Beer Foundation to deliver this training.

“This is part of our approach to help providers and workers upskill and be better educated so they can prepare and serve more delicious and nutritious food to the older people in their care.

“The free Improving Food in Aged Care through Education and Training program is an important step forward in ensuring all older people in residential aged care have access to nourishing food that they enjoy and improves their wellbeing.”

The initiative is complemented by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s newly launched food, nutrition and dining advisory support unit and hotline.

The support unit is helping providers improve the quality, variety and nutrition of meals to people in aged care, and the hotline provides callers access to experts in the areas of food, nutrition and dining, including dietitians and speech pathologists. Older people, their families and carers, aged care providers and workers can call the hotline on 1800 844 044 with questions, concerns or complaints about food, nutrition or dining in aged care.

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