A qualified dietitian has been appointed to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Advisory Council, to offer best-practice advice on nutrition in aged care.
Julie Dundon (pictured), Subject Matter Lead – Aged Care at Dietitians Australia, will serve on the Council until 2025. She has long campaigned for better nutrition standards in residential aged care homes, including mandatory malnutrition screening and annual food audits.
Dietitians Australia Chief Executive Officer Robert Hunt congratulated Ms Dundon on her appointment, calling malnutrition a “silent abuser”.
“In residential aged care, Australian studies have identified a prevalence of malnutrition up to 50%.
“Dietitians Australia has been receiving reports of the $10 basic daily fee supplement not going to aged care resident’s food. It was no surprise to us that one in three residential aged care homes continue to spend less than $10 per day on food, despite receiving the basic daily fee supplement.
“Julie’s appointment is very welcomed and we trust the Minister will give significant weight to her deep expertise and passion for improved nutrition in aged care,” he said.
The Opposition has promised to overhaul food standards in residential aged care if it wins the May 21 Federal Election.
The Morrison Government also introduced a $10 uplift in the Basic Daily Fee last July aimed at improving the quality of food and nutrition in residential care.
