Care home nutrition: tips for food fortification and hydration
Key takeaways
Fortifying meals with high-calorie dairy, protein-enriched foods and drinks, and personalised menu options (such as texture-modified meals for dysphagia) can help prevent malnutrition in care home residents.
Dehydration is common among care home residents admitted to hospital and is linked to kidney problems, UTIs and increased fall risk, partly due to reduced thirst sensation with age.
Practical hydration solutions include specialised cups and glasses for accessibility, seasonal adjustments (extra hydration in summer), and scheduled tea breaks, which are particularly helpful for residents with dementia.
Making hydration engaging, such as with themed activities, can improve residents' willingness to drink enough throughout the day.
Meet the expert: Laura Hemmings on care home nutrition
Proper nutrition and hydration play a crucial role in maintaining the health and well-being of elderly residents in care homes. It is essential to provide them with a balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs while also considering their individual preferences and requirements.
Laura Hemmings, a Marketing Executive and former chef at a nursing and residential home offers valuable insights and practical advice for care home catering teams on enhancing residents’ nutrition and hydration, particularly during the upcoming summer months.
Why food fortification matters in care homes
Fortifying meals with essential nutrients can benefit residents with specific dietary deficiencies or conditions such as osteoporosis or anaemia. Including nutrient-rich ingredients and supplements, such as fortified milk or whole grains, can help improve the residents’ overall nutritional intake.
Malnutrition is a serious issue for elderly individuals, as it can lead to various adverse health outcomes. Addressing malnutrition in care homes can be challenging, as elderly residents may have difficulty consuming enough food to meet their nutritional needs. This can be due to various factors, including difficulty chewing or swallowing, reduced appetite, or a lack of interest in food.
By providing key nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, protein and more through commonly consumed foods, care homes can help prevent nutrient deficiencies and promote the long-term well-being of their residents.
3 ways to boost nutrition through food fortification
1. Add high-calorie dairy to everyday dishes
Enhance the nutritional value of dishes like soups, porridge, and desserts by incorporating high-calorie dairy options such as cream, butter, and full-fat milk. For residents who are at risk of malnourishment, offer fortified milkshakes made with ice cream, cream, milk, and natural flavourings like fruit. These indulgent shakes can significantly elevate their daily calorie intake and promote better nourishment.
2. Boost protein intake with fortified drinks
Protein is a vital component for muscle-building, so including protein-enriched food and beverages in residents’ diets can be beneficial. For example, Frezz Orange Juice + Protein by Oranka Juice Solutions, is a fortified orange juice containing 11.03 grams of essential proteins per 150ml glass and can provide residents with a strong start to their day.
3. Offer personalised nutrition for every resident
These needs may include religious or medical dietary requirements, small appetites, and dysphagia. With meal service Apetito, care homes can offer a diverse range of prepared dishes specially designed to accommodate these needs. From high-calorie fortified meals for reduced appetites to a texture-modified range for those with dysphagia, Apetito provides comprehensive solutions to fulfil each resident’s nutritional requirements.
Why hydration matters for care home residents
Ensuring residents are properly hydrated in care homes can also be challenging, with multiple factors contributing to dehydration, including thirst sensation decreases with age, memory loss, and difficulty in accessing drinks.
Research shows that dehydration is common among patients admitted to hospital from care homes. Dehydration contributes to several health problems, including kidney failure, urinary tract infections, and light-headedness leading to an increased risk of falls.
Hydration is key in ensuring residents’ health and well-being, so care home staff must be properly trained in providing an adequate amount and range of beverages and monitoring fluid intake.
5 effective solutions to ensure optimal hydration levels
1. Cater to diverse drink preferences
Expand beverage options by offering a diverse range of hot and cold drinks to satisfy various preferences and encourage hydration.
2. Make drinks accessible for individual needs
Equip your facility with a variety of specialised cups and glasses to accommodate residents’ specific requirements. This includes providing cups with lids for easy sipping, straws for individuals with reduced mobility, and brightly coloured opaque cups for those with vision impairments. Provide easy-access juices, such as Oranka’s 1+19 all day fruit juice with added vitamin C, served from a dispenser.
3. Adapt hydration plans for summer
Revise your hydration plan to account for the increased liquid intake needed during hotter months. Incorporate refreshing options like melon and ice lollies to provide additional hydration and enjoyment.
4. Schedule regular tea breaks
Introduce scheduled tea breaks throughout the day to establish essential routines, particularly beneficial for residents with dementia. Consistent tea breaks promote hydration and familiarity.
5. Make hydration fun and engaging
Access a range of resources and tools aimed at promoting better hydration within care homes with Tetley, a renowned tea brand. From engaging tea-themed puzzles to Tetley Tea Party kits, these resources offer enjoyable activities that encourage residents to stay hydrated.
We are here to help
If you need help with sourcing products to support your residents’ dietary needs, get in touch with us at hello_UK@avendra.com
FAQs
What is food fortification and why is it important for care home residents?
Food fortification means adding extra nutrients, such as protein, vitamins or minerals, to commonly eaten foods and drinks. It's important in care homes because many elderly residents struggle to eat enough to meet their nutritional needs, due to reduced appetite or chewing and swallowing difficulties, putting them at risk of malnutrition.
Why are elderly care home residents at risk of dehydration?
Elderly care home residents are at higher risk of dehydration because thirst sensation naturally decreases with age, and factors like memory loss or difficulty accessing drinks independently can make it harder for residents to maintain adequate fluid intake, increasing the risk of complications such as kidney problems, UTIs and falls.
What products can help fortify food and drinks for care home residents?
Products such as high-calorie dairy (cream, butter, full-fat milk), protein-fortified drinks like Frezz Orange Juice + Protein, and specialist meal services such as Apetito, which offers texture-modified and high-calorie meal ranges, can help care homes fortify residents' food and drink intake.
How can care homes make hydration easier for residents with dementia or mobility issues?
Care homes can use specialised cups and glasses (lidded cups, straws, brightly coloured opaque cups for visual impairment), offer easy-access drinks from dispensers, and introduce regular, scheduled tea breaks, which help build familiar routines that particularly benefit residents with dementia.
