New Aged Care Act - Impacts on Aged Care Foodservice and Hospitality

The upcoming Aged Care Act is set to bring significant changes to the landscape of aged care in Australia. Focused on addressing the rights and needs of clients, this new legislation promises to overhaul the current system, placing the needs of residents at the heart of aged care services. For those in the foodservice and hospitality sectors, these changes will introduce new standards and expectations, aiming to enhance the quality of life for elderly residents through improved care and service delivery.

About the New Aged Care Act

The new Aged Care Act is in development to address the needs and rights of residents, aged care providers, workers, and the broader sector. It will replace existing aged care laws, focusing on delivering services to individuals in their homes, community settings, and residential aged care homes. The Act aims to establish a fair & culturally safe assessment framework, increase provider accountability, and strengthen regulatory oversight. It aligns with the launch of the new Support at Home program, ensuring a smooth transition to an improved aged care system. Overall, the Act promotes the comfort of residents through adding care and connection to the development of menus and the dining environment, enhancing the overall well-being of residents.

How will this effect foodservice?

As part of the New Aged Care Act, Aged Care Quality Standards are being strengthened. These standards outline changes to food service, with a focus on tailoring menus & dining experience to individual preferences. Aged Care Providers will partner with clients to develop a menu and dining experience that meets their nutritional needs, eating patterns & taste preferences. Incorporating a sense of familiarity and care into menu offers. To understand the needs of residents, providers must assess and regularly reassess nutrition, hydration & dining needs and preferences. Helen’s European Cuisine’s wholesale food assists your kitchen with delivering a menu that caters to a wide audience. Handmade with love, our simply heat & plate product range waste costs & facilitates a more efficient food service. Widen your offer with our pre-portioned products.

Along with collaboration with residents, menu’s will be developed with the input of chefs, cooks and an Accredited Practising Dietitian. Dietitians will review foodservice at least annually through a menu & mealtime assessment to ensure meals, drinks & snacks are supportive of dietary needs. The standards also outline meals need to be flavoursome, served at the correct temperature and visually appealing, with nutritious snacks and drinks to be available at all times. 

The dining experience is so critical to encouraging positive health & nutrition outcomes. The Strengthened Aged Care Standards are shifting the focus to fostering a dining experience that meets the needs & preferences of people to encourage social engagement, function and quality of life. Supporting a dining room that encourages connect, kindness and community. As part of this, there must be opportunities for people to share food and drinks with their visitors. Helen’s supports you in providing a quick service menu offer that delivers high quality products made by hand with local ingredients again and again.

How Helen's European Cuisine can support your transition

With the new Aged Care Act and Strengthened Aged Care Standards, aged care foodservice providers need to rethink their menu offerings. Helen’s European Cuisine can play a crucial role in this transition by offering nutritious, delicious, and easy-to-serve options made from locally sourced ingredients. Our handmade, heat-and-serve products make it easy to offer a diverse menu that satisfies a wide range of dietary needs and preferences. Each meal, snack, and dessert we provide is crafted with love and meets national nutrition guidelines. Expand your offerings with our pre-portioned meals. Our in-house Dietitian is available to assist in selecting products that best meet your clients’ needs. All Helen’s products are analysed against National nutrition guidelines to aid in menu planning (available upon request). We provide high-quality meals, snacks, and desserts tailored to meet the nutritional requirements and preferences of your residents, ensuring a smooth transition to a client-focused menu.

The new Aged Care Act & Strengthened Aged Care standards will encourage Aged Care Foodservice providers to rethink their menu offer and structure. Helen’s can assist with providing a high quality meals, snacks & desserts that meet nutritional requirements and preferences of people. Making the transition to a client-focused menu smooth, contact us today to discuss your options.