A study of 711 residents (63% female, mean age 84) in 10 aged care facilities in New South Wales, South Australia, and Queensland has found that 40% are malnourished, with the researchers saying better screening of residents is required to avoid the risk of residents being left untreated.
In the study, dieticians from Monash and Griffith universities assessed participants as either well nourished, mildly/moderately malnourished, or severely malnourished.
A total of 40% residents were categorised as malnourished, 34% mildly or moderately and 6% severely.
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety identified food an essential component of health and wellbeing for aged care residents. The Final Report said the sector had “failed to meet the nutritional needs of people for whom they care” and that as many as 68% of residents are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. The Royal Commission identified improving nutrition as a priority.
In 2019, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission introduced Aged Care Quality Indicators, which were expanded in 2021 to include unplanned weight loss.
The Government introduced a Food, Nutrition and Dining Hotline last year where consumers can ask questions or raise concerns about food in residential aged care, and providers are required to update the Government with data on how much they spend on food. That data is publicly available on My Aged Care. The Aged Care Quality Standards also require food to meet the needs of residents. Aged care food campaigner Maggie Beer Foundation was granted $5 million by the Albanese Government to produce videos to assist aged care providers.
The researchers warn that insufficient processes to systematically detect nutritional status means many residents are not recognised as being malnourished and remain untreated.
"There is an urgent need to implement a feasible aged care resident screening program to address the highly prevalent condition of malnutrition in Australia," the researchers said.
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