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Texture‐modified diets in aged care facilities: Nutrition, swallow safety and mealtime experience
Author(s) -
Miles Anna,
Liang Victoria,
Sekula Julia,
Broadmore Sharon,
Owen Paul,
Braakhuis Andrea J.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/ajag.12640
Subject(s) - audit , medicine , aged care , environmental health , meal , malnutrition , gerontology , business , accounting
Objectives Over 35 000 people live in residential aged care facilities ( RACF s) in New Zealand. Texture‐modified diets ( TMD s) are commonplace. They are associated with malnutrition. The aim of this study was to characterise TMD prevalence and practice in RACF s. Methods Data from 35 460 residents were extracted from the interRAI™ database. Mealtime observations (including 459 residents), meal audits ( IDDSI , 2018) and menu audits (Dietitians New Zealand Menu Audit Tool for RACF s 2013) were completed at 10 RACF s. Results One‐third of residents were on TMD s. Half the residents ate full meals. Feeding assistance was more common in residents on TMD s compared to those on regular diets ( P < 0.001). The majority of pureed meals met IDDSI standards; none of soft and bite‐sized meals complied. TMD carbohydrate and protein servings did not comply with standards. Conclusions Texture‐modified diets reflect 1/3 of meals produced in RACF s. This study provides insight into TMD use in RACF s and highlights service gaps and training opportunities.