Southern Cross Care Fullarton Hostel, SA - Nutrition - awarded 2009
Altered consistency diets for resident and weight management
The nutrition, hydration and self esteem status of residents requiring altered consistency diets is vital to their quality of life at Fullarton Hostel, South Australia.
This program provides management guidelines for assessing residents requiring altered consistency diets through:
- Resident and representative participation
- Assessment
- Care planning
- Care delivery
- Care evaluation and follow up treatment
Background research
Research indicates that swallowing disorders resulting in residents requiring altered consistency diets occurs in 51 to 71 percent of residents in residential aged care homes.
Swallowing disorders are associated with altered health status such as malnutrition, dehydration and physical ability as well as altered self esteem. Feeding disorders may occur from a wide variety of causes. This has an emotional impact on residents and was the driving force for developing this program.
About the program
The crucial elements of this program include:
- Resident involvement
- Staff education
- Allied health team involvement
- All departments communicating
- Catering having a sound knowledge of the process
- Weight monitoring
- Medical practitioner involvement.
The identified resident group requiring altered consistency diets were closely involved with speech pathologists, dieticians, medical practitioners, nursing, care and catering staff at the residential aged care home.
Identified residents were assessed and care needs designed and implemented to suit each resident. The needs of residents were evaluated regularly, weight monitoring occurred as per schedule and resident feedback was encouraged throughout the program.
Guidelines
The management guidelines provide a descriptor for all staff for weight schedules, texture of diets and food preferences. This is essential to avoid misunderstanding and to ensure consistent quality outcomes for residents.
Resident feedback
The identified resident group requiring altered consistency diets have had their self esteem promoted and their socialisation of meals enhanced. Residents receiving a puree diet receive this on a china plate, resembling a normal plate, with the food moulded to present as the actual food items. This group of residents dine in the dining room and feel more confident dining with other residents.
Resident feedback indicated they ‘feel at home not segregated and the meal has appeal.” They also state that they feel that their dignity and self esteem has been maintained.
Holistic approach
The program required a holistic approach to practice with a focus on guidelines to ensure the guidelines are followed to provide the best altered consistency diet for each resident.
The program has proven to be sustainable and consistent with practice and understood by all those involved.
The program has improved the quality of life of identified residents while also raising the knowledge amongst the team members. This program has promoted positive recognition of this group both from a path physiological and a psychological aspect. Residents at Fullarton Hostel are reaping the benefits of a positive culture within the residential aged care home.
