The importance of good nutrition in aged care living

Maintaining good nutrition is crucial for people of all ages, but it becomes even more essential as we get older to maintain health and wellbeing. Age can affect your body in many ways, so it’s important to adapt your diet to suit your body’s changing requirements. 

The notion that food isn’t good in all residential aged care homes is not valid, especially regarding HillView Care. Our residents rave about our delicious menu, and our on-site chefs serve home-cooked meals made with the freshest and healthiest ingredients possible. 

How ageing affects nutritional needs

Many physiological changes happen as we age. Some of these changes include: 

• Changes to metabolism.
• How food smells and tastes.
• Altered appetite.
• Higher risk for medical conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. 

Eating well in your later years is essential to prevent and manage various health conditions. Eating a nutritious, balanced diet with a variety of nutrients can help maintain optimum health. 

Good nutrition in aged care living

At HillView Care in Merrimac and Ashmore, we take the nutrition of our residents seriously. As a leading residential aged care home on the Gold Coast, on-site chefs prepare delicious, home-cooked meals for our residents.

Our chefs understand that some residents have unique dietary needs due to various health conditions. They can cater to residents’ preferences and work closely with qualified and experienced dietitians to develop menus that meet all dietary requirements. 

The menu at HillView Care gives our residents a balanced and nutritious diet, with a beautiful variety of meal options throughout the day. We’re constantly updating our choice of meals, with a daily menu that consists of breakfast, morning tea, a hot lunch or salad, afternoon tea, a 3-course dinner and a light supper. 

Using local produce whenever we can, we go above and beyond to provide high-quality meals with high nutritional value and taste. We cater to residents who require a low-sodium diet, a diabetic-friendly diet, extra calcium to manage osteoporosis, or a gluten-free diet. 

Dietitians regularly review our menus to ensure they meet the latest dietary guidelines and recommendations. We constantly communicate with our residents to ensure they are happy with our menu and make changes if necessary. Residents are invited to have their say at regular food focus meetings, where each and every resident is asked for their feedback and suggestions.

Benefits of good nutrition in aged care homes

The benefits of providing healthy and nutritious meals include: 

• Improved health – To help residents manage a range of health conditions.
• Increased energy – Good nutrition can help older adults feel more energetic. Healthy, nutritious food can provide the energy they need to stay active. 
• A positive impact on mental health – A healthy diet can help reduce the risk of depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. 
• Boosted immunity – Good nutrition can help boost immunity and contribute to faster recovery from illness or injury. 

At HillView care, we prioritise good nutrition and provide a menu catering to a range of dietary requirements. Our experienced chefs often change the menu to ensure residents have a wide variety of menu options. 

Maintaining good nutrition is critical for residents living in residential aged care homes, and facilities like HillView Care are leading the way with services that promote good nutrition. With so many benefits to eating well, residents can increase their energy, improve their recovery from sickness and manage their health conditions. 

If nutrition is important to you and your loved one, contact HillView Care today to book a tour of our Merrimac or Ashmore home and discover everything we offer.