What Do Dietitians Do in Aged Care?
When people think of dietitians, they often picture meal plans or weight-loss advice. But in aged care, our work is so much more than that. Dietitians play a critical role in supporting older adults’ health, comfort, and quality of life, often in ways that go far beyond the plate.
Aged care is a complex environment. Residents may live with chronic disease, frailty, swallowing difficulties, cognitive decline, or reduced appetite. Food and nutrition become not just about meeting dietary needs, but about maintaining dignity, independence, and enjoyment of life.
1. Assess Nutrition and Health Needs
Every resident has unique nutritional requirements. Dietitians assess weight history, appetite, medical conditions, medications, and food preferences. We identify those at risk of malnutrition or dehydration, provide recommendations to support individuals and develop individualised nutrition care plans that support recovery, prevent complications, and maintain strength and wellbeing.
2. Design and Assess Menus That Meet Both Standards and Satisfaction
We work closely with chefs, cooks, and foodservice teams to design menus that are not only nutritious but also enjoyable, culturally appropriate, and aligned with residents’ preferences. That includes ensuring meals meet energy and protein targets, offering fortified options, and catering for texture-modified diets under IDDSI standards.
3. Support Residents with Swallowing Difficulties
For residents with swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), dietitians collaborate with speech pathologists to determine safe food and fluid textures. We ensure that meals are visually appealing, nutritionally adequate, and easy to enjoy, even for those requiring pureed or soft options.
4. Provide Staff Education and Support
We train care staff in nutrition screening, mealtime assistance, hydration support, and recognising signs of malnutrition. Good food and nutrition care rely on skilled staff who understand the why behind what they do; and dietitians help build that knowledge.
5. Lead Quality Improvement and Audits
Dietitians oversee menu reviews, mealtime audits, and weight monitoring programs.
We help facilities meet the Aged Care Quality Standards, identify gaps, and develop improvement plans to ensure care is safe, consistent, and person-centred.
6. Partner with Residents and Families
Good nutrition involves partnership: understanding what food means to each individual and creating mealtime experiences that bring comfort and joy. We listen to feedback, involve residents in menu design, and support families to understand how food choices fit within medical and personal goals.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
With the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards coming into effect on 1 November 2025, dietitians are more vital than ever in ensuring compliance and quality care. Under Standard 6 – Food and Nutrition, providers will need to show evidence that nutrition care, menu planning, and mealtime systems are safe, effective, and person-centred.
Dietitians help aged care providers meet these expectations, but more importantly, we help residents thrive.
Food is one of the few pleasures that remains constant through every stage of life. In aged care, it can also be a form of medicine, providing strength, comfort, and connection. Dietitians ensure that every meal served meets not only a nutritional target, but also the human need for nourishment, dignity, and joy.
If your facility would like support preparing for the new Aged Care Standards or improving your food and mealtime systems, get in touch. Together, we can create meal experiences that are person-centred, nutritionally sound, and truly enjoyable for every resident.