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The New Standards
The new Aged Care Quality Standards look to formalise benchmarks for dignity and respect in aged care. Standard 6 outlines changes to food and dining and is underpinned by a focus on person-centred care. There are a number of key components that should be carefully considered:
Elevating the dining experience: honouring the critical role food plays in resident’s quality of life, the dining environment should be comfortable and inviting, and social. Meals should be nutritious, look visually appealing and be suitable for a range of residents.
Choice: a variety of food options must be offered to residents at meal and snack times. Importantly, food must cater to diverse preferences, dietary requirements and cultural backgrounds.
Dignity for residents on texture modified diets: residents should be involved in making decisions about their food and consumed in a way that maintains their quality of life and enjoyment.
Resident feedback: residents should be involved in menu creation and should have a vehicle to express opinions and preferences. Food focus meetings are a widely used tool to collate feedback.
24/7 meal requirements: building in flexibility to mealtimes and ensuring protein-rich snacks are available for residents to eat at all times. Snack trolleys and snack fridges are widely used.
Further, Founder and Lead Dietician for Designed by Dietetics, Liz Liu noted "Servicing the needs of residents within operational constraints is challenging in all aged are homes. However, thoughtful menu planning, resident engagement and creative thinking can help facilities and their foodservices meet quality and nutrition standards and support positive outcomes for residents.”
There has never been a busier nor more complex time to be working in aged care. With a range of challenges being faced daily, Birch & Waite seek to be a consistent, supplier-partner for chefs and dieticians alike.
Introducing Birch & Waite
For over 30 years, Birch & Waite has celebrated Australian produce through authentic, chef quality recipes loved by professional kitchens. Their founders took 73 iterations to create Australia’s first fresh, traditional Whole Egg Mayonnaise. Today, Birch & Waite’s range extends to Mayonnaise, Dressings, Sauces, Relishes and Desserts.
Birch & Waite’s portion Dessert and Jelly Range is made specifically for hospitals and aged care to meet unique dietary requirements.
Key functional benefits include:
Consistent quality, texture and supply. Allows chefs to redirect time and labour into other tasks.
Assists in facilitating choice for residents, including at mealtimes, on mid-meal trolleys or in 24/7 snack fridges.
Minimum 4-month fresh chilled shelf life- assists with stock control and forecasting.
Aids the focus on dignity of residents on texture modified diets- a dessert option that can be enjoyed by all!
Packaging clearly labelled for care staff with allergens and protein levels.
Easy-open portions for resident independence- rated by Arthritis Australia.
Dairy-rich and plant-based options to support a food first approach and resident choice.
Premium, non-clinical packaging to help elevate the dining experience.
Birch & Waite products are available nationally through foodservice distributors.
For more information about Birch & Waite’s range, or for free product samples, visit their website here: https://birchandwaite.com.au/professional-kitchen/free-sample/
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