RESTHOMES AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS
Resthomes and Private Hospitals are home for many of our elderly population (though at times, younger generations can also make it home). These facilities in New Zealand can have four levels of care for their residents:
1. Free living units
2. Resthome level
3. Hospital level
4, Dementia Unit
Nutrition for ageing is a specialised area of health. As we age, there are many changes that occur to our bodies. There may be loss of muscle mass, weight gain or weight loss, loss of appetite (known as the "anorexia of ageing" or even changes to digestion, absorption and metabolism due to disease and medication.
A 2017 NZ study of 167 people of those living in the residential care, those admitted to the hospital, and those living in the community showed that the prevalence of malnutrition was 47%, 23% and 2% (1)
Maximised Nutrition provides three types of service delivery for the aged care facility sector:
a) Menu Audit
A two yearly menu audit is a requirement for every aged care facility in NZ. A menu can be 4-6 weeks long, and have winter and summer variation. Maximised Nutrition uses approved Dietitian NZ Audit Tool to do this audit. Contact Maximised Nutrition to discuss your needs. All audits can be done online, using Telehealth option (saving a facility travel time and money).
b) Patient Nutrition Reviews
Timely reviews for at risk patients is crucial to quality of life. Maximised Nutrition recommends that a Mini Nutritional Assessment is done at admission, and every 3-6 months to ensure that no resident falls through the gap.
While at some facilities, the GP charts nutritional supplements, Maximised Nutrition believes that a specialised Registered Dietitian is the best person to provide full review for appropriate intervention.
Maximised Nutrition has a fully online clinical service for patient referral.
c) Nutrition Training for Staff of Aged Care Facility
An educated staff that knows how to screen residents for nutrition issues, implement appropriate food options through the menu and one who has understanding of the nutritional needs of this ageing population and can make appropriate referral can improve quality of life for an aged resident.
Maximised Nutrition provides an online Nutrition Training for Aged Care Facilities' staff (Two yearly training of staff is a requirement of menu audit approval process).
To discuss any of the above, please contact Maximised Nutrition through email or cell phone 0273320138.
REFERENCE
Wham Carol et al. Malnutrition risk of older people across district health board community, hospital and residential care in New Zealand. Australasian Journal of Ageing (2017) Sept (36) 3: 205-211
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