Nutrition in aged care extends far beyond providing meals, argues Andrew Martin, founder of Eat Well Health, in a guest post for Inside Ageing. While meal services are key, the system still falls short when clients’ appetites, physical ability, or recovery needs limit food intake — even when meals are readily available.
He contends that the issue isn’t neglect but poor workflows: vague escalation paths, inconsistent documentation, and variable access to dietitians. Martin suggests that standardising online screening, clear dietitian recommendations, and holistic nutrition support — not just more meals — can improve consistency and outcomes across aged care providers. The challenge, he says, is turning early concern into reliable follow-through.