Rapid Fire Oral Presentation 49th Nutrition Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2025

Dietary intake in aged care residents remains unchanged despite a Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (129863)

Emily Adams 1 , Annalise Macriyiannis 1 , Shannon Turnbull 1 , Sandra Iuliano 2
  1. Endocrinology, University of Melbourne / Austin Health, West Heidelberg
  2. Endocrinology, University of Melbourne / Austin Health, West Heidelberg, VIC, Australia

Malnutrition is prevalent among Australian aged care residents with nearly 80% of residents being malnourished or at risk of malnutrition (1). Poor food quality contributes to malnutrition and featured in the Royal Commission (RC) into Aged Care Quality and Safety (ref). We aimed to determine if food quality has improved since the Royal Commission into Aged Crae Quality and Safety.  Dietary intake from 12 Pre-RC studies were identified that included 2378 residents (mean age 85.9 years, 72.3% were female). Post-RC intakes were assessed from 78 residents (84.3 years, 84.6% female) from 10 aged care homes using the validated method of plate waste assessment. Intakes (± 95% CI) for relative protein (g/kg body weight [BW]), energy (kJ/kg BW), calcium (mg), and foods from the dairy and meat food groups were calculated (FoodWork, XYRIS Software). Differences occurred if the 95%CI between Pre- and Post-RC intakes did not overlap.  Mean relative protein (0.9 g/kg BW, 95% CI: 0.8-1.0) and energy (96 kJ/kg BW, 95% CI: 88-104) intakes did not differ between pre- and post-RC residents (protein: 0.9g/kg BW, 95% CI: 0.8-0.9, energy: 98 kJ/kg BW; 95% CI: 97-100). Intakes of protein, calcium, servings of foods from the dairy and meat food groups remained below the recommended levels of 1.0 g/kg BW, estimated average requirement of 1100 mg/day and 3.5-4 and 2-2.5 servings daily, respectively. Food quality has not improved since the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, and intakes remain below recommendations for older adults. Changes are required to support nutritional care in aged care residents that may include mandatory standards to ensure nutritional adequacy for residents that is a requirement for the new Aged Care Act.

  1. 1. Iuliano S, Poon S, Robbins J, Wang X, Bui M, Seeman E. Provision of High Protein Foods Slows the Age-Related Decline in Nutritional Status in Aged Care Residents: A Cluster-Randomised Controlled Trial. The journal of nutrition, health & aging. 2023;27(2):166-71.